English Heritage - Grime's Graves - Prehistoric Flint Mine
Sightseeing attraction | Thetford | England | United Kingdom
Archaeological sites in england
Grime's Graves - A prehistoric flint mine and archaeological site
Prehistoric flint mine visit
Grime's Graves, located near Thetford in Norfolk, England, is one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Britain. This prehistoric flint mine, managed by English Heritage, is one of the few of its kind that can still be explored today. With its numerous pits and shafts, it offers a unique insight into the early mining industry and the lifestyle of people during the Neolithic period.
Neolithic mining techniques
History of Grime's Graves
Grime's Graves was used as a flint mine approximately 4,500 years ago, during the Neolithic period. The name comes from Old English and means "Grime's pits" - although the site does not contain graves, but is one of the earliest mining facilities in Europe.
Historical significance of pits
The site consists of over 400 pits spread across an area of about 37 hectares. Here, prehistoric communities extracted high-quality flint used for tools, weapons, and other objects.
Visitor center archaeological finds
Mining at Grime's Graves ceased in the Bronze Age, as metal tools replaced flint. Nevertheless, the site was preserved over the millennia and later regarded as a significant location by the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, and Normans.
The structure of the mines
The flint mines of Grime's Graves consist of deep shafts and extensive galleries dug by hand with stone tools. The shafts reach up to 12 meters deep, with a vast network of underground tunnels extending beneath the surface.
Key features of the mine:
- Deep shafts: Miners dug deep holes to access the best flint deposits.
- Layers of flint: Flint was found in specific geological layers and extracted with primitive tools.
- Stone tools: Many of the tools found here are made from deer antler fragments, used as picks.
- Underground tunnels: Once a pit was exhausted, it was abandoned and a new one was dug.
Archaeological discoveries and significance
Grime's Graves is one of the few Neolithic flint mines in Europe that have been archaeologically investigated. Finds from the site have provided valuable insights into life during the Neolithic period.
Key discoveries include:
- Antler tools used by miners to extract flint from rock.
- Worn-out flint tools showing how the stone was used for knives, arrowheads, and scrapers.
- Evidence of organized division of labor, as the mines were operated by specialized workers.
- Ritual objects suggesting that mining may have been associated with spiritual or ritual practices.
Visitor experience
Grime's Graves is a unique archaeological site that offers visitors the rare opportunity to descend into a real prehistoric mine.
