Inscriptions in mines and quarries

Thanks Tom - a sensible reply - there is sanity in the world! Yes I am quite confident there is a date there - just finding it difficult to make out so any ideas are welcome. Numbers were subtly different in the early 17th century so we need to take that into account. I will try to find an online resource with a set of numbers. Also, the vertical "tally" cuts can seemingly "change" the numbers by adding "tails" - we may never know but can make a judgement I suppose.
 
The "la" in chalk appears to be repeated twice as a cut inscription on the right. Assuming it is "la" of course. The fact it is repeated and written carefully suggests to me it has some definite meaning (or did when it was written).
 
I will have to study it on the MacBook better later , I wonder if the area got re worked and de faced it ? Possibly started making another cut

No ideal chat regarding bears also please .
 
TomFerry said:
1669 in the lines

G Y

The symbols at the bottom ?
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The thing that immediately springs to mind with the "symbols" is medieval mason's marks? Not sure when they fell out of use, but possible that 17th century quarrymen were still using something similar?
 
AR. said:
The thing that immediately springs to mind with the "symbols" is medieval mason's marks? Not sure when they fell out of use, but possible that 17th century quarrymen were still using something similar?
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On the subject of marks and pigpen/templar etc, did anyone decipher and post the plaintext for the example earlier that Tom (F) said was his favourite?
 
AR. said:
That's a surveyor's datum level mark.
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Yeah, they're all the very the place above ground too once you get an eye to spot them, old buildings 1960s and earlier like post offices, stations, libraries, town halls etc although annoyingly they're generally missing on ordnance survey 1:1250 maps 😡
 
I've never seen one carved into a brick, taken underground and mortared into the pillar though... Quite a lot of effort.

Chris.
 
ChrisJC said:
I've never seen one carved into a brick, taken underground and mortared into the pillar though... Quite a lot of effort.

Chris.
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In the sort of ground that you have in your photo, a mark would not stay good for long so fixing a brick is quite a good solution. Especially if it is a master level station.

Most U/G stations are done with paint but if there is no steelwork or brickwork handy it would be a problem.
 
Les Riley said:
In the sort of ground that you have in your photo, a mark would not stay good for long so fixing a brick is quite a good solution. Especially if it is a master level station.

Most U/G stations are done with paint but if there is no steelwork or brickwork handy it would be a problem.
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Yes .

Every single “bay”/ heading / working area which doesn’t connect through is labeled a number typically 1-15

You would have been told , your working - drive 3 heading 13 , this meant go to drive 3 inbye , walk along to heading 13.

These work inbye , some times a bay/ working area in heading passage may connect with the next drive , if the rib is worked 2 thin .

My working design is “made up “ just how I would number it all , what I have seen gives proof to this

- no proof on this
 
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Any ideas on these collection of pockets, chips, and scratches, looks like start of drilling a hole, but trust someone will have some insight, thanks!
IMG-20240618-WA0001.jpgIMG-20240618-WA0000.jpg
 
I dont know whether I am missing something and also have no idea of the locartion, but what I am looking at is poured concrete. I see the shuttering marks. So what we have is an attempt by persons to get through to whatever is behind.
Is this a joke?
 
Royfellows said:
I dont know whether I am missing something and also have no idea of the locartion, but what I am looking at is poured concrete. I see the shuttering marks. So what we have is an attempt by persons to get through to whatever is behind.
Is this a joke?
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🤣 Thanks! That would have been a good!!
Sorry for lack of context, it's slate, Blaenau
 
Wonder if the small round holes are practicing getting going with a jwmpar? That large ragged hole in tops photo is framed by a circle of smaller holes. You could practice doing that on the tourist trip at Llanfair Mine Caverns.
 
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