333 years of copper mining in the Røros region of the Mid-Scandic highlands Written sources versus natural archives

A study of Røros Mining Town reveals that natural archives, such as sediment cores from kettlehole lakes, can provide valuable insights into the environmental impact of industrial activity over 333 years. The research found that forest clearance during early copper mining was less pronounced in pollen records due to long-distance tree pollen, but non-arboreal pollen accurately reflected agrarian development. Abrupt increases in Cu, Zn, and Pb concentrations indicated air pollution linked to ore roasting, with SO2 emissions potentially exceeding 5,000 tonnes annually during peak production. The study also identified a delay of approximately 50 years between soil erosion and sedimentation rate changes, likely caused by intensive land use and vegetation damage from sulphuric fumes. These findings highlight the potential of natural archives to complement historical documents in reconstructing environmental and industrial histories.

Prøsch-Danielsen, L., & Sørensen, R. (2010). 333 years of copper mining in the Røros region of the Mid-Scandic highlands Written sources versus natural archives. Journal of Nordic Archaeological Science – JONAS, 17, 37–52. https://doi.org/10.65612/jonas.v17i.63700