Excerpt from Special Reports on the Mineral Resources of Great Britain, Vol. 23: Lead and Zinc Ores in the Pre-Carboniferous Rocks of West Shropshire and North Wales The history of lead-mining in West Shropshire1 dates back to the time of the Romans, who evidently Obtained important supplies of lead-ore from outcrop-workings and shallow levels. The Roman Vein, for example, of the Roman Gravels Mine (p. 16) is said to have been worked to more than 100 yards in depth by the Romans, whose mining-utensils have been occasionally found in the galleries. 2 When first discovered it is probable that the lead -ore was exposed in ridges down the hill-sides, for even now the silicious contents of some of the veins can be traced along the surface, and at the Grit Mines the Rider Vein forms a projecting wall for several yards.3 Besides mining-implements, coins and pottery have been found. A Roman pig of lead was discovered some years ago at the bottom of the trench along the Roman Vein, together with curious wooden spades, and candles with hempen wicks.4 The pig bore the impress imp. Adriani. Aug. Two other pigs also bearing the inscription of the Emperor Hadrian (a.d. 117 - 138) have been found in this district one at Snailbeach, now in the British Museum, the other at Snead, now in the Mayer Collection, Liverpool Museum. The Sawpit and Second North Veins of the Roman Gravels Mine were also deeply trenched in those days. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.