event · evt_bi_great_orme_reduced_continuation
Reduced but continued Great Orme mining
Evidence indicates continued exploitation after the main production peak, at substantially lower intensity, into the later Bronze Age.
What is the evidence?
observation
Evidence indicates continued exploitation after the main production peak, at substantially lower intensity, into the later Bronze Age.observed evidence
Evidence indicates continued exploitation after the main production peak, at substantially lower intensity, into the later Bronze Age.Great Orme did not end in one collapse around 1200 BCE. Its long tapering sequence better fits changing ore access, demand, competing sources and extraction costs than a single externally caused termination.
Inspect the sources →Review and provenance
Specialist reviewer: not recorded. Review date: not recorded.
Dataset workflow: proposed. This is separate from specialist review.
Confidence describes the stated assessment; it does not certify expert approval. How review works.
Chronology
Dating intervals may describe uncertainty or phases; their width alone does not establish event duration.
1400 BCE–900 BCE
Precision: broad mining phase
Chronology model: regionally resolved positive bce
moderatePositive BCE integers are used; the larger value is earlier. The range preserves archaeological and calibration uncertainty. Great Orme did not end in one collapse around 1200 BCE. Its long tapering sequence better fits changing ore access, demand, competing sources and extraction costs than a single externally caused termination.
- supports · dates
Boom and bust in Bronze Age Britain: major copper production from the Great Orme mine and European trade, c. 1600–1400 BC — R. Alan Williams, Cécile Le Carlier de Veslud (2019)Integrates mine chronology, ore characterisation, metal analyses and production estimates to argue for a major Great Orme production peak and wide circulation.
Locator: Abstract; The Great Orme copper mine; Discussion; Conclusions; Figures 2 and 9
Interpretation and caveats
Great Orme did not end in one collapse around 1200 BCE. Its long tapering sequence better fits changing ore access, demand, competing sources and extraction costs than a single externally caused termination.
Event context
Classification
Event type: mining continuity and decline
Evidence layer: archaeological
Timeline role: regional core
People and places
Locations: Great Orme copper mine, Wales archaeological search region
Affected entities: Great Orme copper mine, Wales archaeological search region
Why it matters to the timeline
This regional-core event demonstrates continuity and decline across 1200 BCE within a major British metal system.
Research notes
- Integrates mine chronology, ore characterisation, metal analyses and production estimates to argue for a major Great Orme production peak and wide circulation. Role: provides evidence and date. Locator: Abstract; The Great Orme copper mine; Discussion; Conclusions; Figures 2 and 9.
Evidence and sources
- supports · provides evidence and date
Boom and bust in Bronze Age Britain: major copper production from the Great Orme mine and European trade, c. 1600–1400 BC — R. Alan Williams, Cécile Le Carlier de Veslud (2019)Integrates mine chronology, ore characterisation, metal analyses and production estimates to argue for a major Great Orme production peak and wide circulation.
Locator: Abstract; The Great Orme copper mine; Discussion; Conclusions; Figures 2 and 9
Referenced records
- Wales archaeological search region · entity
- Great Orme copper mine · entity