Hilton Mine, Scordale, Cumbria: Identification of Mineral Samples
Author(s): Sarah Paynter
Archaeological remains at the site of the former Hilton and Murton mines in Scordale, Cumbria, a Scheduled Monument, are being severely eroded. A programme of survey and excavation was initiated to investigate and record the features, which were associated with the extraction of lead ore and the barium minerals barytes (BaSO4) and witherite (BaCO3) at different periods over the last 200 years. Numerous samples were taken during the excavation to help link the surviving features with these different mining and mineral dressing activities. Much of the area investigated was covered by gravel-like waste from lead ore dressing. Evidence for barytes processing was found in Trench 1. The function of the building in Trench 2 is unknown. The buddles in Trench 4 were used for lead ore processing, but the samples from these areas comprised re-deposited waste. The function of the mill in Trench 5 is unclear, although no evidence for the processing of barytes was found in this area. None of the samples from the site contained witherite.
- Report Number:
- 20/2009
- Series:
- Research Department Reports
- Pages:
- 18
- Keywords:
- Lead
