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Miners breaking up rock by setting a fire on it. When the rock cooled it would crack
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Miners breaking up rock by setting a fire on it. When the rock cooled it would crack
Miners breaking up rock by setting a fire on it. When the rock cooled it would crack and shatter which made it easy to work with picks. Greater break up could be achieved by pouring cold water over the hot rock. This process was used in Saxony, Hungary and the Harz mines before the introduction of blasting powder. From Underground Life: or, Mines and Miners by Louis Simonin (London, 1869). Wood engraving
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Media ID 9752709
© Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group
1869 Achieved Break Breaking Cold Crack Easy Fire Greater Hungary Introduction Life Louis Miners Mines Mining Pouring Powder Process Rock Saxony Setting Simonin Underground Wood Work Blasting Cooled Harz Picks Shatter
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This print takes us back to a time when mining was an arduous and labor-intensive task. The image showcases miners in Saxony, Hungary, and the Harz mines employing a unique technique to break up rock formations. In this fascinating process captured by Louis Simonin in 1869, the miners set fire on the rocks to heat them intensely. As the rock cooled down, it would crack and shatter into smaller pieces, making it easier for the workers to handle with their picks. The wood engraving beautifully depicts this ancient method of rock breaking that predates the use of blasting powder. It highlights not only the ingenuity but also the sheer determination of these miners who relied on unconventional means to extract valuable resources from deep within the earth. To enhance their efforts further, pouring cold water over hot rocks could achieve even greater fragmentation. This additional step exemplifies their resourcefulness in harnessing natural elements to aid their work underground. Simonin's portrayal offers us a glimpse into an era where technology had not yet revolutionized mining practices. It reminds us of how far we have come in our quest for minerals and metals while appreciating those who paved the way through sheer grit and innovation. As we admire this historical photograph from Underground Life: or Mines and Miners by Louis Simonin (London, 1869), let us acknowledge these unsung heroes whose hard work laid foundations for modern mining techniques still used today.
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