Cavers find pristine mineshaft frozen in time for 200 years

Experts describe cobalt mine at Alderley Edge as ‘time capsule’ thanks to lack of oxygenA pristine 200-year-old mineshaft that had been undisturbed since it was abandoned by miners during the Napoleonic wars has been discovered by cavers in Cheshire, revealing an almost unique “time capsule” of their underground life.The cobalt mine, atAlderley Edge, was sealed by the miners when the shaft was abandoned, at a date that can be pinpointed fairly accurately thanks to one man who used candle soot to write his initials “WS” and the date 20 August 1810 on the rock wall.Continue reading...

Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - July 12, 2022 Category: Science Authors: Esther Addley Tags: Heritage Archaeology The National Trust UK news Culture Science Source Type: news