Broadcast 3 February 2013

In July 2012 an archaeological evaluation was undertaken by Channel 4’s ‘Time Team’ within the Coniston Copper Mine Complex, near Coniston, Cumbria (NGR 328350, 498890).

The complex covers an area of some 5 km square in the Lake District National Park and is considered of national importance, having been designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM number 38773, National Heritage List Entry 1003055).

The evaluation investigated two sites, the first located at Levers Water (Site A, also known as Back Strings) to investigate the standing remains of buildings around the Simon’s Nick stope, thought to have their origins in the Elizabethan period. The second site (Site B) was located some 750m to the east of Levers Water along the Red Dell Beck, an area known as the Cobbler’s Level within the Low or First Works.

The investigation here concentrated on the search for the remains of an Elizabethan stamp mill used to crush ore, and an associated building. The evaluation consisted of six hand excavated trenches, four at Levers Water investigating two structures (Buildings A and B), and two at Cobbler’s Level investigating a third structure (Building C).