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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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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Size: 2780px × 1888px
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Photo credit: © World History Archive / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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