The identification of early lead mining : environmental, archaeological and historical perspectives from Islay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
This thesis investigates whether lead mining can be detected using palaeoenvironmental data recovered from freshwater loch and marsh sediment. Using radiometric time-frames and geochernical analyses the environmental impact of 18th and 19th century mining on Islay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland, has been investigated. The model of known mining events thus produced has been used to assess previously unrecorded (early) lead mining activity. Previous mining in the area is suggested by 18th century accounts that record the presence of 1,000 ~early~ workings scattered over the north-east limestone region. While there is little to support the often repeated assertion that lead mining dates back to the Norse Period (circa lOll th centuries) it is clear that it may well have been an established industry prior to the time of the first historical records in the 16th century. In order to use a palaeoenvironmental approach to the question of mining history and its impact, the strategy has been to use integrated loch and catclunent units of study. The areas considered are; Loch Finlaggan, Loch Lossit, Loch Bharradail and a control site at Loch Leathann. Soil and sediment geochemical mapping has been used to assess the distribution
Cressey, Michael
Lead  mining ; Environment ; History ; Archaeology ; Islay ; Inner Hebrides ; Hebrides ; Scotland ; Geochernical ; Mining ; 18th century ; 19th century ; Loch ; Palaeoenvironmental data ; Freshwater loch ; Marsh sediment
The identification of early lead mining : environmental, archaeological and historical perspectives from Islay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. This thesis investigates whether lead mining can be detected using palaeoenvironmental data recovered from freshwater loch and marsh sediment. Using radiometric time-frames and geochernical analyses the environmental impact of 18th and 19th century mining on Islay, Inner Hebrides, Scotland, has been investigated. The model of known mining events thus produced has been used to assess previously unrecorded (early) lead mining activity. Previous mining in the area is suggested by 18th century accounts that record the presence of 1,000 ~early~ workings scattered over the north-east limestone region. While there is little to support the often repeated assertion that lead mining dates back to the Norse Period (circa lOll th centuries) it is clear that it may well have been an established industry prior to the time of the first historical records in the 16th century. In order to use a palaeoenvironmental approach to the question of mining history and its impact, the strategy has been to use integrated loch and catclunent units of study. The areas considered are; Loch Finlaggan, Loch Lossit, Loch Bharradail and a control site at Loch Leathann. Soil and sediment geochemical mapping has been used to assess the distribution
identification early lead_mining environmental archaeological_historical perspective inner_hebrides scotland investigates_whether lead_mining detect use palaeoenvironmental data recover freshwater loch sediment using time frames analysis environmental_impact mining inner_hebrides scotland investigate model know mining event thus produce used ass previously_unrecorded early lead_mining activity previous mine area suggest account record presence early working scatter north_east limestone region little support often repeat assertion lead_mining date_back norse_period circa century clear may well_establish industry prior time first historical_record order use palaeoenvironmental question mine history impact strategy_use integrate loch unit study area consider loch loch loch control site loch soil sediment geochemical mapping use assess distribution