Firesetting. Illustrated by Agricola in the 1550s, this picture
shows the technique of firesetting which has been used from
prehistoric times to fairly recently as a way of softening rock.
Fires are lit against the rock and the action of heat softens
the rock. It is often said that the miners would then throw
water over the rock to fracture it but given the risk from smoke
and rock fragments, this seems unlikely. (Left.) Pillar Mine.
The entrance section of Pillar Mine is rounded and smooth,
classic signs of firesetting. Alderley Edge was covered with
scrub and small trees which would have provided good material
for fires. There is no proof that firesetting was used here as
the site has been heavily disturbed by visitors through the
centuries. The blackening of the rock is recent and cannot be
taken as an indication of firesetting. Copyright DCC and Nigel
Dibben: 2013 Last updated: 07/05/2010 |Larger text | Smaller
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