Las Medulas Mine, Spain
From series “Famous Spots of Gold Mines Reminding the Gold-Rush Times”
The Las Medulas Mine, located in Spain, is one of the ancient Roman mines. This deposit is located in the north-western part of the country. Scientists managed to establish that the development of the mine began in the first century BC. And lasted more than 300 years. The method of mining of precious metal, which the ancient Romans practiced, is considered unique. It was that the destructive power of water had been used.
To destroy another mountain, they dug a long tunnel, through which the water was subsequently let out from specially created reservoirs. Under the power of water, the mountain was literally torn, the rock thus obtained fell into a special step-canal with bushes of gorse. It were the bushes that detained the pieces of gold, then they were burned, and the ashes were washed and the purified precious metal was obtained.
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Las Medulas Mine - interactive map
Useful staff nearby
ATM bankomat: 'Cajero automatico La Caixa' located in 6.79 km (
check the route on the map).
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