Overview

This volume examines prehistoric copper mining in Europe, from the first use of the metal eight thousand years ago in the Balkans to its widespread adoption during the Bronze Age. The history of research is examined, as is the survival of this mining archaeology in different geological settings. There is information on the technological processes of mineral prospecting, ore extraction, and metal production, as well as the logistics and organization of this activity and its environmental impact. The analysis is broadened to consider the economic and societal context of prehistoric copper mining and the nature of the distinctive communities involved.The study is based on a review of field data and research produced over many decades by the collaboration of archaeologists and geologists in a number of different countries, and covers such famous mining centres as the Mitterberg in Austria, Kargaly in Russia, the Great Orme in Wales, and those in Cyprus, from where the name of this metal derives. These regional studies are brought together for the first time to present a remarkable story of human endeavour and innovation, which marks a new stage in the mastery of our natural resources.

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9780199605651

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Reviews

delightful illustrations ... O'Brien's text would be an excellent starting point for any volume for north-west Europe that would require chapters on metal mining ... dix points. Dr Robert Ixer, Current Archaeology

This is the first book to tackle the subject matter on this scale and few are better qualified to have undertaken this task than O'Brien with his longstanding experience in the investigation of copper mines. * Silviane Scharl, Antiquity * delightful illustrations ... O'Brien's text would be an excellent starting point for any volume for north-west Europe that would require chapters on metal mining ... dix points. * Dr Robert Ixer, Current Archaeology * the author has succeeded in producing a vivid and easily readable book * Ronald Schwab, Archaeologia Austriaca * O'Brien succeeds in bringing together a very large and disparate body of literature into a cohesive narrative. * Carleton Jones, Irish Archaeology *

This is the first book to tackle the subject matter on this scale and few are better qualified to have undertaken this task than O'Brien with his longstanding experience in the investigation of copper mines. Silviane Scharl, Antiquity delightful illustrations ... O'Brien's text would be an excellent starting point for any volume for north-west Europe that would require chapters on metal mining ... dix points. Dr Robert Ixer, Current Archaeology the author has succeeded in producing a vivid and easily readable book Ronald Schwab, Archaeologia Austriaca

O'Brien succeeds in bringing together a very large and disparate body of literature into a cohesive narrative. * Carleton Jones, Irish Archaeology * the author has succeeded in producing a vivid and easily readable book * Ronald Schwab, Archaeologia Austriaca * delightful illustrations ... O'Brien's text would be an excellent starting point for any volume for north-west Europe that would require chapters on metal mining ... dix points. * Dr Robert Ixer, Current Archaeology * This is the first book to tackle the subject matter on this scale and few are better qualified to have undertaken this task than O'Brien with his longstanding experience in the investigation of copper mines. * Silviane Scharl, Antiquity *

Author Information

William O'Brien is Professor of Archaeology at University College Cork.

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