The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Airshaft, Blaenavon

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 03384g
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Blaenavon
Unitary authority : Torfaen
NGR : SO24380955
Site Type (preferred type first) : POST MEDIEVAL Ventilation shaft

Summary :
Two coal pits, thought to date to c.1800 or slightly earlier (NPRN 270078 and 270079, Scheduled Monument MM293).

Description :
Two coal pits, thought to date to c.1800 or slightly earlier (NPRN 270078 and 270079, Scheduled Monument MM293), considered some of the earliest in the area.

During works to the site (E005349) two late 20th century brick capping structures were removed; this was followed by the excavation and reduction in height of two old mine shafts and the surrounding area.. The ground surface prior to the sinking of the shafts was identified and details of their construction and changes in the local topography recorded.

The two shafts were of similar construction and dimensions, suggesting that that they were contemporary. At some point probably at the time they ceased to be used as mines the upper part of the northern shaft had been dismantled and rebuilt. The brick structure of the upper part of the shafts may be associated with the conversion to air shafts. No definitive dating material was found to allow the date of the sinking of the shafts to be established nor the duration of mining and subsequent activities at the site.

Artifacts recovered around the southern shaft at layer 101 included discarded tools and parts of disused tramroads. These were consistent with the association of the layer with the ending of mining activity.

When mining ceased and the mines became air shafts considerable reworking had taken place around the heads of the shafts,destroying all evidence of pit head structures.
( Rouse and Oakey 2005)


Sources :
Rouse, D & Oakley, N , 2005 , Old Coal Pits, Garn-Yr-Erew, Blaenavon Watching Brief

Events :
E005349 : Old Coal Pits, Blaenavon (year : 2005)

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 270078, 270079 http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/270078/details
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 07826g

Compiled date : 03-01-1988


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