View source for Bell pit

{{short description|Primitive method of relatively shallow mining}}
[[Image:Depression showing where old mine workings were..jpg|300px|thumb|right|A collapsed bell pit, evidence of early coal mining in [[Middleton, Leeds|Middleton]] Woods]]
[[File:Bell_pit_in_mining.png|thumb|303x303px|Cross section of a bell pit.]]
[[File:Bell pits - geograph.org.uk - 413404.jpg|thumb|A line of bell pits following a lead seam. These are often mistaken for [[shake holes]].]]
A '''bell pit''' is a primitive method of [[mining]] [[coal]], [[iron ore]], or other minerals lying near the surface.

==Operation==
A shaft is sunk to reach the mineral which is excavated by miners, transported to the surface by a winch, and removed by means of a bucket, much like a well.<ref name = "streetgate"/> The bottom of the shaft is enlarged and a sloping roof is created as the desired mineral and surrounding rock is removed – giving its name because the pit in cross section resembles a [[bell]].<ref>{{cite book | author = Gresley, William Stukeley | title = A glossary of terms used in coal mining | publisher = E. & F. N. Spon | place = London, New York | year = 1883 | url = https://archive.org/details/glossaryoftermsu00gresrich | page = [https://archive.org/details/glossaryoftermsu00gresrich/page/17 17]}}</ref>

Typically, no supports were used, and mining continued outwards until the cavity became too dangerous or collapsed at which point another mine was started, often in close proximity.<ref name = "streetgate">{{cite web | url = http://www.sunnisidelocalhistorysociety.co.uk/bellpit.html | title = Streetgate Bell Pit | publisher =  	  	
Sunniside Local History Society | accessdate = 2016-05-23}} Example and illustrated description</ref> This type of mine was in use in prehistoric times, the Middle Ages,<ref name = "newbold"/> and a few continued in use until the early 20th century in the region around [[Ford, Northumberland]]. Such pits are common at prehistoric flint working sites such as [[Grime's Graves]] in [[Norfolk]] and also in the coal mining areas of Yorkshire, the [[Forest of Dean]],<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Tony Youles |author2=Penny Fernando |author3=Tony Burton |author4=Frank Colls | title = Delving in Dean: The Delves – An Area of Unrecorded Early Coal Mining (Part Three) | journal = Gloucestershire Society for Industrial Archaeology Journal | year = 2008 | pages = 37–52 | url = http://www.gsia.org.uk/reprints/2008/gi200837.pdf}}</ref> and Leicestershire.<ref name = "newbold">{{cite web | url = http://newbold.g-forbes.co.uk/page80.html | title = Coalfields | publisher = Newbold Heritage Group | accessdate = 2016-05-23}}</ref>

Bell pits often flooded due to a lack of a drainage system. This, together with the lack of support and the likelihood of collapse, meant they had a limited lifespan. The remains of bell pits can be identified by depressions left when they collapsed. In some places, they will follow a straight line as the seam of mineral is being followed. Bell pits were not an efficient way of extracting minerals as they only partially exploited the resources.

==See also==

*[[Drift mining]]
*[[Open-pit mining]]
*[[Industry and the Eglinton Castle estate]]
*[[Glossary of coal mining terminology]]

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
* {{Commons category inline|Bell pits}}

{{Mining techniques}}

[[Category:Coal mining]]
[[Category:Underground mining]]