Reasons for Designation
Tin has been exploited on Dartmoor since the prehistoric period and surviving
remains are numerous, well-preserved and diverse, with the two main types of
tinwork being streamworks and mines. The three different forms of tinwork used
to mine lode tin were lode-back pits, openworks and shafts. Lode-back pits
survive as shallow shafts which were sunk onto the lode outcrop to extract
cassiterite. These pits generally occur in linear groups following the line of
the lode, with associated spoil dumps. Many tin lodes have been worked at the
surface by digging pits onto the backs or surface exposures of the lode to
remove the mineral that lay above the water table. Openworks are also known as
beams and they were formed by opencast quarrying along the length of the lode.
The term openwork refers to the field evidence for opencast quarrying of the
lode, which produced relatively narrow and elongated gulleys.
Shaft mining is synonymous with underground extraction, with access to the
lode being through near vertical or horizontal tunnels known as shafts and
adits. Underground workings are often complex in character, with considerable
layout variations reflecting developing extraction techniques. Within the
vicinity of most mines are found the remains of prospecting activity. This
generally takes the form of small pits and gulleys. Some mines have associated
surface buildings which provided a variety of services for the working miners.
The ore quarried from all three forms of mine was taken for processing to
nearby stamping mills.
A national survey of the tin industry in England was completed in 1999. This
demonstrated the number and diversity of surviving remains and the
significance of some areas for understanding the origins and development of
the industry. Dartmoor is one such area and here a representative selection of
sites with significant surviving remains has been identified as nationally
important.
Details
The monument includes the core part of Eylesbarrow Tin Mine, together with
adjacent tin streamworks, earlier mining remains, archaeological remains
of prehistoric and historic date including a stone hut circle settlement,
pillow mounds and field systems situated on the southern slopes of
Eylesbarrow overlooking the valley of the River Plym. Tin extraction
within the area later to become known as Eylesbarrow Tin Mine probably
dates back to at least the 12th century, although it is not until the 16th
century that specific documentation is known. Some of the earthworks
visible within the monument will certainly be the result of mining
activity before the better documented phases of the 19th century. The 19th
century mine opened in 1814 and continued until 1852. During this time
several companies were formed to run the mine and most failed to make a
profit.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
34467
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
