Iron Ore Scours and Patch Workings at Winch Fawr, Merthyr Tydfil

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument consists of the remains of an iron mine and areas of patching and scouring, used for the extraction of iron ore. Scouring was the process of damming water and releasing it suddenly at localised points to remove overburden or to sort mined ore from shale heaps placed in the stream. Two deep scours remain with the bank of a large reservoir at their head, and hand-dug watercourses supplying them. The workings were associated with Cyfarthfa Ironworks. Minerals were excavated from the outcrop on a contract basis, patch by patch, in which miners sub-leased sections of the seams and often worked them in family groups, including young children. The mineral leases appear to have extended over this area from 1765, and it is believed to have been worked intensively until the early 19th century. At this time Cyfarthfa was the largest ironworks in the world. The workings followed the Seven Foot seam and Lower Coal Measures.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of iron mining practices. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.