Dolaucothi Gold Mines
The Dolaucothi Gold Mines (pronounced [ˌdɔlaiˈkɔθɪ]; Welsh: Mwynfeydd Aur Dolaucothi) (grid reference SN662403), also known as the Ogofau Gold Mine, are ancient Roman surface and underground mines located in the valley of the River Cothi, near Pumsaint, Carmarthenshire, Wales. The gold mines are located within the Dolaucothi Estate, which is owned by the National Trust.
Roman workings at Dolaucothi mine | |
Location | |
---|---|
Dolaucothi gold mines | |
County | Carmarthenshire |
Country | Wales |
Coordinates | 52°02′41″N 3°56′59″W |
Production | |
Type | gold |
Owner | |
Company | National Trust |
Website | http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dolaucothi-gold-mines |
They are the only mines for Welsh gold outside those of the Dolgellau gold-belt, and are a Scheduled Ancient Monument. They are also the only known Roman gold mines in Britain, although it does not exclude the likelihood that they exploited other known sources in Devon in South West England, north Wales, Scotland and elsewhere. The site is important for showing advanced Roman technology.