(Prehistory to 20th Century)
The tinworking landscape of Dartmoor is perhaps the finest in the world for its extent, completeness, chronological range and accessibility. Most of it falls within Dartmoor National Park and much is on open moorland to which there is unrestricted public access. Although always closely connected historically to the Cornish tin industry, Dartmoor’s tinworking landscape is quite distinct, as it lacked the deep tin deposits of its neighbour and also had an abundance of water resources. In the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries Dartmoor tinworking was on a relatively small scale. Consequently, archaeological remains of these and earlier periods (especially AD 1300-1700) are still of outstanding extent and quality.
This conference, which marks the 25th anniversary of the Dartmoor Tinworking Research Group, and the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Designation of the Cornwall & West Devon Mining Landscape, will celebrate the diversity of this industrial landscape, and will compare its features and technologies with those of contemporary tinworking areas of continental Europe It will undoubtedly be a stimulus for future research.
Upper Merrivale tin blowing and stamping mill under excavation
Tavistock has been chosen as the conference venue as it was historically one of Devon’s four stannary towns, administering a tinworking district, and was closely connected with mining for hundreds of years.
Tavistock Town Hall and other venues: www.dtrg.org.uk/booking.html