Dolaucothi Gold Mines, United Kingdom

Unique from a historical and geological point of view, are the gold mines of Dolaucothi, located in the UK, in the Cothi River valley. According to scientists, their development started during the reign of the Roman Empire. Now, the mines are a landmark of national importance. Archaeologists after a series of studies have suggested that gold mining in these places began much earlier, even in the Bronze Age.

In ancient times people washed gravel, collected along the banks of the Cothi river, among the many stones they found particles of precious metal. With the heyday of the Roman Empire, the first mines began to appear on the territory of the deposit, but already in the 5th century they came to desolation and remained ignored by people until the 19th century. The first industrial enterprises on the territory of the Dolaucothi deposit appeared before the outbreak of the First World War. Later the representatives of the University of Cardiff were engaged in research of the mines for a long time.

The development of the mines had to be stopped because of the risk of destruction of unique archaeological sites. Today, the unique deposit is one of the most important state sights and is accessible to tourists. For travelers, regularly tours are held around the ancient mines, during which they can see the most incredible archaeological sites. During the research of ancient mines it was possible to find out that in the days of Ancient Rome, rather complicated and advanced methods of extraction and processing of precious metal were used. Visitors are told about these peculiarities. Next - Berezovsky Gold Mine