Comparative Analysis
The World Heritage Committee has
acknowledged thematic imbalances in the World Heritage Site List and
recognises the significance of the Industrial Revolution for all
humankind.
Industrial and Cultural
Landscapes on the World Heritage Site List
In 1992, industrial heritage and cultural
landscapes were identified as being under-represented categories on
the World Heritage Site List. Industrial sites currently account for
less than 5% of the List. Of the 788 inscribed so far (July 2004), 36
were nominated, either wholly or in part, for their industrial
significance. Of these, only nine have non-ferrous mining associations
and all represent different historical, technological and cultural
traditions.
The Cornwall and West
Devon Mining Landscape
The nominated Site was a large-scale
eighteenth and nineteenth century example of industrialisation which
was highly capitalised by private and local individuals, usually
associated in what were known as cost book companies. The use of
private capital underlies much of the success and distinctiveness of
Cornish mining. The Stannary system of bounding encouraged enterprise,
multi-ownership and partnerships, and Cornish mining was stimulated by
entrepreneurial working practices intended to produce the greatest
profit in the shortest time; for the ultimate benefit of the mine
owners and mineral lords. This ran counter to the system of government
control that was characteristic of European mining regions which were
managed to produce a regulated supply of metals together with a steady
source of employment for their people, subject to as little
fluctuation as possible.
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The nominated Site includes the mines
themselves, the remains of the early infrastructure which was
developed to facilitate industrialisation and innovation, and the
tangible and intangible surviving evidence of its social and economic
consequences, including a wide-ranging manifestation of distinctive
settlement patterns.
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This is the first cultural landscape
nomination for inclusion on the World Heritage List that is concerned
with the mining and ore-processing of tin and arsenic as well as
copper and other industrial metals. It is also the first mining
landscape nomination to be dominated by steam-powered deep shaft
mining. This is exemplified by the distinctive architectural form of
the Cornish engine house, a feature of mining fields throughout the
world, wherever they were influenced by the Cornish cultural and
mining diaspora. There is extensive evidence of the export of this
distinctive technological and cultural ensemble to other countries,
both within the United Kingdom and overseas.
The region dominated much of the world’s
output of copper, tin and arsenic during the eighteenth and nineteenth
centuries and Cornish mining culture made an outstanding contribution
to the evolution of metal mining and steam technology, influencing its
diffusion across the globe.
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Today there are distinctive Cornish mining
landscapes in Australia, Mexico, Spain and South Africa. These sites
made considerable contributions to the industrial, social and economic
development of these countries and are derived directly from the
nominated cultural landscape.
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Conclusion to the comparative analysis.
In comparison with other industrial heritage and
cultural landscapes in the World Heritage Site List, the nominated
Site stands out as being of international significance for:
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The early industrialisation of non-ferrous metal
mining, its widespread social and economic consequences, and its
contribution to the development of modern industrial society.
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The large-scale exploitation of industrial metals
within the nominated Site (particularly tin, copper and arsenic) and
the world significance of this output.
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The type of exploitation, which was dominated by
steam-powered deep shaft mining, and the high level of technological
innovation associated with it.
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The leading role played in the diffusion of both
metal mining technology and steam pumping technology, across the
world.
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The outstanding survival of landscapes transformed
by metal mining during the period 1700 -1914, particularly those
associated with steam engineering, the ore-processing of tin and
arsenic, the industrial infrastructure and the type of settlement.
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The high level of conservation applied to the
Cornish Mining landscape and the high level of protection afforded
to key structures and areas.
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The development of a distinctive cultural tradition
and the evidence for its diffusion world-wide.
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World-wide evidence of metal mining landscapes that
are derived from the original Cornish example.
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The large size and scope of the property which,
covering a substantial part of Cornwall and West Devon, offers
opportunities to harness heritage as a deliverer of social and
economic benefit and to link cultural heritage to a sense of
identity and well-being.
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