Cornish tin

[John Conyard]

Welcome to a fellow Cornishman.

Some old miners believe it was the Romans who first went underground for tin, rather than using alluvial deposits, but a 14/15th century date is probably safer.

The Romans certainly seem to be tin streaming at Boscarne and Restormal.

The tradition of marking out Tin Bounds is believed to be post Roman, but who can say:-)

Some suggested that the position of Nantallon Roman camp in a damp river valley was in part due to Alder trees that grow in such conditions. Alder makes excellent charcoal, and I understand that the relative amount of metallurgy in an area can be traced by Alder pollen in soil samples.

The Romans certainly introduce an alternative cash economy.