The District is the least researched in Cornwall. Of the many hundreds of archaeological surveys of mining sites in the County none have been conducted within the Wendron District. Only two books have been published on the mining industry of the District: Wendron Tin by A.K. Hamilton Jenkin (commissioned by Poldark Mine) 1978 and The Tin Streamers of Wendron by Justin Brooke 1994. The District was noticably missing from Hamilton Jenkin's much sought after series 'The Mines and Miners of Cornwall'. The reasons for the lack of information and understanding appear to be twofold: with little development pressure and a lack of funding the Cornwall Archaeological Unit have had no funding to enable them to carry out surveys here; the district was important during a time for which there is little readily accessible written information.
Field Investigation 13th May 2006
Wood Stamps formerly known as Treloquathack Stamps and later occupied by the Cornish Dairy
Deeds to Treloquathack Tin Stamps dated 1820 led the group to search the area to try to locate the site of the stamping mills.
Wood Stamps (OS 692293), shown on recent OS maps as the Cornish Dairy Company, is no doubt the site of the 1820 Stamps. When tin processing ceased the site was reused as a dairy and some buildings associated with this later use were constructed. This reuse of a tin stamps also occured at the Poldark Mine site in 1886. The investigation identified that there are considerable archaeological remains of the tin processing site within the valley. A detailed investigation and archaeological survey is planned.
Chimney at Wood Stamps
shown on earlier OS maps this structure does not appear on recent editions
Water Wheel Pit Wall, Wood Stamps
the opposing support appears to have been of wooden of metal construction
The China Clay Works, Porkellis Moor
OS maps of the district mark the location of China Clay Works on Porkellis Moor (os 692319). The site's former settling tanks were easily located. From the brief investigation several so far unrecorded leats, a few of considerable size, were noted however where the works obtained its clay it is yet to be established. A detailed survey of the site is planned.
Copies of all photographs and site surveys will be deposited with Cornwall Historic Environment Service and at Poldark Mine
For further information about the Group contact Darren Osborne or Richard Williams on 01326 573 173 or email research@poldarkmine.co.uk
Poldark Mine The Wendron Mining District