Llechwedd and the story of slate The story of slate began 500 million years ago, with deposits of mud and clay on an ancient seabed. Slate was used by Romans in the first century AD and by medieval kings to shore up their defences. But it wasn’t until the advent of the Industrial Revolution that demand for the mighty grey rock really exploded. At its peak, the slate industry in Wales employed an army of 17,000 men. By the end of the 19th century they were extracting half a million tonnes of slate per year and their hand-split wares were being exported to all four corners of the earth. The Welsh slate industry made a few men very rich and paid a decent wage to many more. But, like so many industries that relied upon the physical labour of human beings, its colossal success did not come without great sacrifice … We think it’s a story which is truly immersive and one that will captivate, surprise and thrill you. And we can’t wait to show you around. http://www.llechwedd-slate-caverns.co.uk/