Mines of Rammelsberg
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mines of Rammelsberg and Historic Town of Goslar* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
 |
|
| State Party |  Germany |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, iv |
| Reference | 623 |
| Region† | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1992 (16th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO. |
|
The Mines of Rammelsberg are a UNESCO World heritage site near the German town of Goslar, the site of continuous mineral extraction over a period of more than 1000 years. The Rammelsberg is a mountain, whose summit is at 636 meters above sea level.
Contents |
[edit] History
The mining history of the Rammelsberg occurred as a continuous process in different phases. Initially the main product was silver ore, then later copper, and finally lead. The mines were exhausted only in the 1980s, and were shut down in 1988.
The ore contained an average of 14% of zinc, 6% lead, 2% copper, 1 g/t gold and 140 g/t silver.[1]
Recent archeological findings at the location of Düna (near Osterode) suggest that, in fact, mining at the Rammelsberg had already begun 6-700 years earlier. Layers of an early settlement dated to about the 3rd or 4th century AD located about 25 miles south of the Rammelsberg contained not only pre-industrial melting equipment but also remains of ore, which could clearly be identified as Rammelsberg ore.
In its history about 27 million tons of ore were extracted from the mountain.
[edit] Museum
After the mines were closed down by Preussag a museum was established to preserve the heritage and to display the history of the mines and their industrial equipment. The museum is an Anchor Point of ERIH, The European Route of Industrial Heritage.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
Stoppel D. (2002). "Spuren des Bergbaus im Westharz". Akad. Geowiss. Hannover, Veröffentl. 20: 77 - 84.
