A group of three lead working coes, a shaft and a dressing floor on Longstone Edge

Reasons for Designation

Lead rakes are linear mining features along the outcrop of a lead vein resulting from the extraction of relatively shallow ore. They can be broadly divided between: rakes consisting of continuous rock-cut clefts; rakes consisting of lines of interconnecting or closely-spaced shafts with associated spoil tips and other features; and rakes whose surface features were predominantly produced by reprocessing of earlier waste tips (normally in the 19th century). In addition, some sites contain associated features such as coes (miners' huts), gin circles (the circular track used by a horse operating simple winding or pumping machinery), and small-scale ore-dressing areas and structures, often marked by tips of dressing waste. The majority of rake workings are believed to be of 16th-18th century date, but earlier examples are likely to exist, and mining by rock-cut cleft has again become common in the 20th century. Rakes are the main field monuments produced by the earlier and technologically simpler phases of lead mining. They are very common in Derbyshire, where they illustrate the character of mining dominated by regionally distinctive Mining Laws, and moderately common in the Pennine and Mendip orefields; they are rare in other lead mining areas. A sample of the better preserved examples from each region, illustrating the typological range, will merit protection.

This group of mine workings within Longstone Edge rake is a good example of an ore-processing complex which includes an integral shaft in addition to a dressing floor and three coes. Although coes are relatively common components of Derbyshire lead mines, upstanding coes are rare both regionally and nationally. The upstanding example in this group is particularly well preserved and its importance is further enhanced by the rare survival of its knockstone.

Details

The monument includes the remains of a small lead mining and ore processing site within Longstone Moor lead rake. The remains include a partly upstanding coe, two further ruined coes, a dressing floor and a shaft. Extensive mining remains survive beyond the monument but are not included in the scheduling as they have been disturbed by modern reworking. Coes were small buildings used in lead working for a variety of purposes. The upstanding coe in this complex was clearly used for ore processing as it includes an in situ knockstone at its north west corner where lumps of ore were broken down by hand to a size suitable for further processing. The coe itself comprises a drystone structure, measuring 7m from north to south by 5m from east to west. It is built on a spoil heap and includes an entrance at the south east corner. The walls survive to a height of c.1.2m. Immediately north east of the coe are two further ruined coes, each measuring c.5m square. The north wall of the northernmost extends westward for c.20m before ending on the spoil ring round an isolated shaft. In this way, the wall and the line of coes form the north and east boundaries of a triangular ore-dressing floor. On its remaining south west side, the dressing floor is bounded by a track through the lead rake.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract. It includes a 2 metre boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

27219

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Other
Cranstone, D, The Lead Industry, Step 3 Recommendation, (1994)

End of official list entry

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