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Since prehistorical times mining has been one of the main industries in Sardinia. The mine at Montevecchio has been transformed into a museum and the first level can be visited with an expert guide, one of the miners that worked there. It is the mine where my father in law has worked in his youth.
1
The mine Anglosarda at Montevecchio can be visited at the first level, descending with the elevator to 23 metres depth. The lowest galleries are at 500 metres. From this mine lead and zinc were obtained.
2
In the galleries small hydraulic trains were used to transport the rock.
3
Here one of the small trains that are showed to the visitors of the mine.
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The galleries were connected with vertical shafts where the mineral rocks were dumped. At the bottom of the shafts were trapdoors to fill the wagons.
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The wagon of the lower level was filled with the oar of the upper level and then transported to the surface to obtain the metal alloy. Finished galleries were then filled with the debris.
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Mineworkers in more modern times used this hydraulic drill that was placed against the shoulder to work above their heads. The hydraulic system was used in order to spare oxygen.
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The galleries were protected in different ways. The system is simple but efficient in that the wooden structure is kept in place by the weight of the rock itself. Along the way the guide will explain the various methods used. The wood used does not change under the influence of moisture.
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Vertical shafts were the emergency exits for mineworkers. To avoid sever accidents platforms were placed alternately left and right in the shaft so no one would fall all the way down.
9
Cristallization in the mines of the salts.
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The first level has several exits below the entrance on the slope of the mountain.
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This (patented) little hydraulic machine was used in the mines.
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Industrial archeology is the preservation of old industrial buildings. Although it is strictly speaking not archaeology, still the preservation of these buildings is important for future generations.
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