Over a series of short articles and short mobile documentaries, I hope to introduce you to some of the magic and mystery, history fact and history fiction that is woven into the story of wonderful and hidden gem that is Dolaucothi.
Now in the care of the National Trust, the Dolaucothi Gold Mines stands in the beautiful and evocative landscape of South West Wales and although it is best known as Britain’s only known Roman gold mine, its origins are much older.
Archaeological evidence has discovered that although the Romans extensively worked the Dolaucothi site, it was utilised prior to their occupation of Britain, far back into the Neolithic history of the area.
With the arrival of the Roman Legions, so came their technological understanding and experience of mining and it is reckoned that over their 70 years working the site, they were able to extract between 50 to 200 tonnes of gold.
This was mainly achieved through open cast mining with rock and soil washed away using an elaborate system of surface water courses transporting millions of litres of water to be stored in great ‘tanks’ (manmade ground basins), ready to be released on demand.
However, the Romans also undertook deep mining operations at Dolaucothi site and miners who worked the site in the 1930s, discovered tools and the remains of a Roman water wheel when they broke through into a cathedral-sized cavern 30 meters below the surface.
Although they did not have the knowledge of how to preserve the 2000-year-old wooden artefacts, it was their discovery and recognition that has lead to Dolaucothi being acknowledged as Britain’s only known Roman Gold Mine.
Here is a link to a short film introducing a little more about the famous Dolaucothi Roman Water Wheel.
Stay tuned for more from the fascinating and magical Dolaucothi Gold Mine.
