Monument record 1446/17/1 - Pillar Mine

Pillar Mine. Pillar Mine has a large cave-like entrance beneath an overhang that leads to a low tunnel at the rear. The 'Pillar', after much vandalism collapsed in the 1950 - 60's and minor roof falls are still common today. The soft sandstone walls have been blackened by fires and are extensively covered in graffiti, mostly modern, and mostly grotesque. There is a fallen block of conglomerate outside the entrance which is known as the 'Altar stone' which has been used in modern occult practices (Northern Caver, 1976). The origins of Pillar Mine are unknown but believed to post medieval. Some pickwork was visible but has since been worn smooth by later visitors. There are large amounts of infill at the base of the opening and also spoil running down slope. Later workings such as 'Square Shaft', 'Doc Mine' and 'Rock Shaft' cover earlier spoil from Pillar Mine. Earlier still spoil tips are visible on the south side running down to the Hough Level, which stone hammers have been washed out of (but possibly then re-deposited). In 1997, several hammer stones were found above the Hough Level along with another three in the area (one grooved example and two unmodified pebbles) which are either in the Manchester Museum Collection or are on loan to it (1)

<1> 1998, Alderley Edge Landscape Project Archive, 39 (Unpublished Report). SCH4334.