Mining in ancient Rome

Quarries were often built through trial trenching and they used tools such as wedges to break the rock apart, which would then be transported using cairns and slipways.

Mines typically used slaves and lower-class individuals to extract and process ore. Usually their working conditions were dangerous and inhumane, resulting in frequent accidents and even suicidal ideation.

Once the ore had been dug out trip hammers powered by water were used to crush it,[9] and mercury was used to separate gold from surrounding materials.

It was also useful for finding ore veins that led back to the ground or the mountains and for small mining operations.

[6] Ancient Roman miners used double-sided hammers, broad sided pickaxes,[11] and picks that were usually made of iron.

[12][13][14] Child laborers in ancient mines possibly carried baskets that were used to transport materials.

Alumen was a liquid substance used to bind dyes to fabrics, making it one of the most popular and effective tools for painting.

[27][28] This method worked because it would dry the wounds and draw the tissues together, allowing them to heal easier.

Camels, donkeys, wagons, or ships may have been used as work animals to assist the miner's efforts.

Forts, temples, baths, and cemeteries were present in the quarry at Wadi Abu Ma'amel.

In this quarry, the slipway routes ended in a flat pedestal, and chippings of black porphyry covered the loading ramp.

Only low-status individuals or slaves worked in ancient Roman mines due to the high amounts of danger involved in their job.

[36] The Romans had a punishment named damnatio ad metalla,[37] which condemned slaves and criminals to work in mines.

They were governed by the lex metallis dicta, a law that dictated the rules and regulations of the mines and the punishments for violating them.

The lex metalli vispascensis, another law governing the mines allows for the collection of fees and gives certain groups the ability to monopolize their industry.