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Information for Schools and Group Visits 2007/08
-Timeline - School Questionnaire -
. For further information please call Kate on 01326 573 173 or email
With unique archaeological evidence of industrial activity dating from prehistoric times in the form of the Poldark Mortar Stone (A Scheduled Ancient Monument), the earliest known lease for the working of a tin stamps (1498), an eighteenth century tin mine and leases and deeds from 1800 to the present day Poldark is one of the Cornwall's most important heritage sites and educational resource.
The themes being developed at Poldark are the Cornish tin industry until the 1820's and the Cornish overseas, from the first 'contract workers' to economic migration and its effects upon Cornwall and the resultant international Cornish legacy.
Educational Visit Overview
Visits can be composed of any of the following elements: Guided Mine Tour through the 18th century Poldark Mine, the most complete mine workings of their type open to the public; Illustrated Talk tailored to compliment the student's study; Man Engine and Cornish Beam Engine demonstration on Cornwall's only working Cornish Beam Pumping Engine; Museum Visit, not accompanied by Poldark staff; Site Activities at extra discounted cost including Gem Sands and Gold Panning; Site Questionnaire; Finally there is a Children's Play Area where young students can unwind. Please note that children must be supervised at all times whilst on the site. A room is available for school parties to use whilst on site and should be booked in advance.
Time on Site: Time on site will very according to activities undertaken. Overall 20 minutes should be allowed in addition to the following estimates to allow for organising the group when on site. The Mine Tour 1 Hour; Illustrated Talk 40 minutes; Beam Engine 15 minutes; Gem Sands 20 minutes. Allow a minimum of 2 hours on site
Primary and Secondary Educational Visits
Your visit can be tailored to compliment the elements of the National Curriculum your students are studying. Please contact us to discuss the ways in which we can meet your specific requirements.
Higher Education and Study Visits
The geology of Poldark is of particular importance, the Poldark Mine is a Regionally Important Geological Site. It is the only location where the deep seated geology, the 'roots' of mineralisation of the Carnmenellis Granite Mass, can be inspected. See detailed description of the Mine's geology.
For a detailed explanation of the mine, its unique geology and the mine tour go to The Mine - Wheal Roots
For information on the Wendron Mining District go to The Wendron Mining District
For information on the history of Poldark go to The History of the Poldark Site
For an overview of Cornwall's mining heritage go to The History of the Poldark Site
For a detailed overview of the development of steam in Cornwall go to Steam in Cornwall and follow the link.
For a detailed explanation of the Poldark Mine's Geology go to Poldark Mine Geology
For an outline of Cornwall's World Heritage Site go to World Heritage
OPENING TIMES EDUCATIONAL GROUP GUIDED MINE TOUR PRICES Booking At least seven days notice for group tours, to guarantee a Mine tour at your preferred time as much notice as possible should be given. |
THE POLDARK MORTAR STONE WAS IN USE LONG BEFORE RECORDED HISTORY. THE POLDARK SITE, THEN KNOWN AS TRENERE STAMPS, WAS ALREADY A WORKING TIN STAMPS BEFORE COLUMBUS DISCOVERED AMERICA. POLDARK MINE, THEN KNOWN AS WHEAL ROOTS, WAS A WORKING TIN MINE BEFORE CAPTAIN COOK DISCOVERED AUSTRALIA
School Questionnaire- Email info@poldark-mine.co.uk for the answers
Answers to the questions can be found in the Museum and on site interpretation
1. The granite at Poldark is part of the Carnmenellis 'Pluton', the oldest granite mass in Cornwall. How old is it? 1,000 million years 520 million years 280 million years 2 million years Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
2. What was the miner's greatest enemy and at times his greatest friend ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
3. Did young girls and women work underground in Cornwall ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………..
4. What colour is tin metal ?- an extra two points if you can name the ore of tin Ans…………………………………………………………………….
5. The first known lease for the Poldark site, then known as Trenear Stamps, was signed the year after Columbus discovered America. In which year was the Lease signed ? Tick one date 1066 1201 1493 1760 1815
6. Poldark is the site of the earliest known record of a TIN STAMPS. The 14 foot Water Wheel is where the original water wheel stood. What was a TIN STAMPS used for ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
7. In which century did the Poldark Mine work? Tick one 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th
8. What is a 'LEAT' Ans………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………
9. Tin was first recovered in Cornwall from alluvial deposits in ancient river valleys. Archaeologists have estimated that tin was first worked in Cornwall how many years ago ? tick one 6,000 5,000 4,000 2,000 1,500 1,000 500
10. In which year was gunpowder first used in Cornish mines? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………..
11. What did miners use to provide light to see with underground at Poldark? Ans…………………………………………………………………..
12. When was the 14 foot water wheel made and who made it ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
13. The main ore of tin has a specific gravity of 7. How much heavier than the same volume of water is this ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
14. Who invented the 'Safety Fuse' ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………..
15. Where was Safety Fuse first made ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………
16. In which year did Richard Trevithick of Camborne built the world's first railway ? Tick one 1750 1795 1804 1825 1854 1890
17. When did the last tin mine stop working ? An extra point if you can name it ! Ans…………………………………………………………………………………..
18. What is an adit? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………..
19. The coat of arms of Cornwall dates from 1192 when King Richard I decreed that the support given to him by the people of Cornwall should be remembered 'in perpetuity'. What does 'in perpetuity' mean ? Ans…………………………………………………………………………………..
20. Cornwall was the world's most important mining region in the 19th century. The skills developed in Cornwall were taken throughout the world by Cornish miners to places such as Real del Monte, Mineral Point and Burra Burra. In which countries are these towns? Real del Monte………….…Mineral Point………….…Burra Burra…………….
21. Only one of these metals has never been mined commercially in Cornwall, which one ? ANTIMONY, BISMUTH, COBALT, COPPER, GOLD, IRON, LEAD, SILVER, TUNGSTEN, URANIUM, ZINC. Ans…………………………………………………………………………………..
