Mount Gabriel Mining Complex

Mount Gabriel mining complex is on the eastern slope of Mt Gabriel on the Mizen Peninsula. The complex has a collection of 31 confirmed early Bronze Age copper mines, which are some of the earliest examples of copper mining in northern Europe. Radiocarbon dating puts it at 1700 and 1500BC, with no evidence of later mining.

Two principal areas can be identified in a Mount Gabriel-type mining camp: the mine working, from whence the ore was extracted, and the spoil dump, where primary crushing and hand sorting was undertaken. Heat is a characteristic feature of these mines, a mining technique of considerable antiquity. The heat treatment loosened the inherent structure of the mine face, and was followed by heavy pounding using cobble hammers or ‘mauls’.

Excavations in the 1980’s found several short-handled alder shovels and picks, used to prise out the copper ore.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014