Mine heritage conservation and valorisation

in Western Europe : an overview

Ian COWBURN M.A. (Cantab.)

Director of Cultural ServicesL’Argentière-La-Bessée - France

Ironbridge : 50 years of heritage management

Industry as theatre : following in the footsteps of bygone workers

Kilhope Silver Mine : from archaeology to heritage centre

Fournel Silver Mines1991 - 2005

Evaluation of heritage potential

Pluridisciplinary research

Elaboration and experimentation of the tourist project

Synergy between scientific work and tourist development

Consequences on the tourist product

Experimentation of the circuit = evolutive projectAnimation : archeological excavation

Consequences on the site works

Archeological excavationsVolunteer camps

Logistical support for the site during the works

Consequences on site knowledge

Before 1991 Erroneous and summary historical knowledgeSurface : jungle and ruinsUnderground : 3 galleries ; 2,5 km of blocked labyrinth

1991 - state of the site : strong heritage potential

1992 - scientific research : pluridisciplinary and pluriannual

Ethnographic approach

Mine closed in 1908No living witnessesDiscreet impact out of the site

1936

Archives

Rich collection 18th to 20th c.-Administration of mines-Private archives

Complex history-apogee during 15 years-16000 t of mineral, 18 t of silver- rich medieval workings

Rich iconography-surface and underground plans

Detailed reconstitution- activity report

Surface prospection

Good rocky outcropIntense erosion of slopes

Workings over 1,5 km

Very important medieval workings

Underground prospection

Speleological explorationTopography of 10 km of the network

Light archeological operations

Over the whole of the sector- clearance of remarkable structures- detailed drawings

Experimentationof forgotten techniques

Large scale archeological excavationsof the underground network

Clearance of the medieval mineClearance of the principal 19th c. galleryExcavation of the Machine Room

Large scale archeological workson the visitor site

1992 - 1997- clearance of surface buildings- discovery of machine remains

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Museographical project

Reconstruction of the main workshopReconstitution of ore treatment machines

Municipal Culturel Service labelled C.C.S.T.I.

National and European Networks

Mining archeologyExpertise

Heritage valorisation

Banca Copper MineFrench Basque country

Partnerships- Culture Ministry- Local Associations

Actions- excavations 1999-2001- full survey- historical database

Prolongations- exhibition, video- museum project at Baigorry

- But absence of local political drive

Dolaucothi Gold MineWales, U.K.

Partnerships- British National Trust- French C.N.R.S.

Actions- diagnostic and inventory- full survey

Prolongations- adaptation of tourist content- development project

- but bureaucratic obstacles to realisation

Rosia Montana Gold mineTransylvania

Partnerships- Rumanian Culture Ministry- French C.N.R.S.- International Gold Mining Co.

Actions- exploration and inventory- archeological evaluation- large scale excavations with company supports

Prolongations- controversial propositions for conservation and valorisation