CHAP, xi.] THE DISTRIBUTION OF COPPER ORES. 399 



introduced into Europe, can only be discussed after we 

 have treated of the distribution of copper and of tin. 



The Distribution of Copper Ores. 



Copper is supposed by Pliny to have derived its 

 name from Cyprus, 1 where it is said to have been first 

 mined, and whence the Eomans obtained the greater 

 part of their supply (ces Cyprium). It is to be found in 

 nearly every country in Europe, and it must have attracted 

 attention in the earliest ages, from the beautiful green, 

 blue, and red colours of its ores. In Britain it occurs in 

 many places ; in Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset, in 

 Derbyshire and Cheshire, in Yorkshire, Cumberland, 

 Westmoreland, and in Wales. 



It has been worked in this country in very remote 

 times. The Hon. W. Owen Stanley 2 records the dis- 

 covery of " two mining tools or picks " in an old mine 

 near Llandudno, in North Wales, along with stone 

 hammers made of large rounded pebbles, with grooves 

 cut round them for the reception of a handle of osier. 



that they have been used up in subsequent ages for the manufacture of 

 bronze. (Primitive Warfare, Journ. United Service Inst. xiii.) 



Mr. Evans holds the view expressed in the text, Concjr. Int. Prtfhist. 

 ArchtoL, Buda-Pesth vol., 1877, p. 234. 



1 It is quite as likely that Cyprus may have been derived from copper, 

 and it is very improbable that the German Kupfer is derived from 

 Cyprus. The Germanic peoples were acquainted with copper long before 

 they were brought within reach of the Mediterranean civilisation, probably 

 while they were yet in Central Asia. Pliny's derivation is probably merely 

 suggested by the resemblance between the words copper and Cyprus, which 

 may be as misleading as that of the town of Bridgewater, from the bridge 

 over the water (the Parrett), instead of from Burgh and Walter, the burg 

 of Walter, Walter de Burgh. 



2 Archeol. Journ. vii. 68. 



