Scheduled MonumentsWalesDolaucothi Gold Mines
Roman · Gold Mine

Dolaucothi Gold Mines

Carmarthenshire, Wales
Cadw SAM CM208
Period
Roman
Site type
Gold Mine
Broad class
Industrial
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Dolaucothi Gold Mines is a Roman gold extraction complex located in Carmarthenshire, Wales, representing one of the few known sources of precious metal exploitation in Roman Britain. The site, which operated primarily during the second and early third centuries AD, comprises extensive surface workings including opencast pits, drainage channels, and settled areas that attest to substantial organised mining activity. Archaeological evidence and ancient references suggest the mines were worked under Roman military and administrative control to supply gold for imperial use and coinage. The landscape today retains visible traces of Roman engineering works, including elaborate water management systems designed to process ore and facilitate extraction, making Dolaucothi a significant testimony to Roman industrial capability in the province.

Dolaucothi Gold Mines is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference CM208. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Dolaucothi Gold Mines?

Dolaucothi Gold Mines is a Roman gold extraction complex located in Carmarthenshire, Wales, representing one of the few known sources of precious metal exploitation in Roman Britain. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference CM208.

What period does Dolaucothi Gold Mines date from?

Dolaucothi Gold Mines dates from the roman period, and is classified as a gold mine. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Dolaucothi Gold Mines?

Dolaucothi Gold Mines is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is CM208.

What other scheduled monuments are near Dolaucothi Gold Mines?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Dolaucothi Mound (0.3 km), Dolaucothi Roman Aqueduct (0.3 km), Nant Cilgwyn standing stone (3.1 km).

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