Archaeologists examining the Bronze Age copper mines at Great Orme report that bone tools formed part of routine mining work. A study of 150 artefacts indicates that these items were selected and shaped for specific purposes.
The research shifts attention away from the usual focus on stone and metal implements. Bone has often been overlooked, partly due to preservation issues. The material, however, appears to have been well-suited to certain mining tasks, particularly where softer rock was involved.
Analysis combined visual inspection with microscopic study, including scanning electron imaging. Surface marks on the tools point to repeated use. Some pieces show signs of hafting, suggesting attachment to handles.
Several tool types were identified. Long bones were modified into wedges, likely used to split rock. Flat bones, including shoulder blades and pelvic fragments, were shaped into scoops for handling loose material. Rib fragments were used for scraping or raking.
Wear traces indicate contact with mineral surfaces and broken rock. The tools appear to have been used in stages of extraction and processing, including loosening material and moving finer ore.
The material studied came from both underground workings and surface deposits. Although tens of thousands of bone fragments have been recovered at the site, the sample was limited to pieces with clear archaeological context and good preservation.
Comparisons with other European Bronze Age mining sites show similar tool types. Finds from Ireland, Austria, Ukraine and Russia point to shared approaches, alongside regional variation linked to local conditions.
Some bones may have first been used as food remains. After marrow extraction, fragments could be reshaped into tools. This pattern has been noted at other mining sites.
The findings show that organic materials were part of Bronze Age mining technology. Bone tools were used together with stone and metal implements, not in place of them. Future studies and practical experiments may help determine how these tools functioned and how widely they were used.
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Sources : Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2026.105751
