This book contains descriptions of 432 coal-mining museums, heritage centres, archives and memorials, and preserved colliery sites in 48 countries in Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Europe and New Zealand. This is not a history of coal mining, but rather a catalogue of how museums around the world have portrayed the history of coal mining, colliers and mining communities. This includes subjects such as the development and dissemination of new technology, features commonly found on the surface of mines, disasters, transport, women and children working underground, working conditions, strikes and trade unions, and slavery and forced labour, especially in wartime and by certain countries in particular. There is a detailed introduction, including discussion of the types of buildings used for museums and collections such as art and fossils, and a concordance of 18 items found commonly at the sites described, including those with a genuine or a simulated underground experience and opencast sites open to the public.

AUTHOR
Margaret Faull was director of the National Coal Mining Museum for England from 1986 until 2015 and is Honorary President of the Network of European Coal Mining Museums. In 2008 she was appointed OBE for services to industrial heritage. She has published widely in Anglo-Saxon, landscape and industrial archaeology.

REVIEWS
‘Researchers of industrial heritage will be interested in this volume because it provides the most comprehensive international directory of coal mining-related sites to date.’ Peer reviewer

‘In this exceptional book Margaret Faull charts the global history of coalmining through the material evidence of its remains, in museums, and preserved sites. Here is a unique record, not just in the comprehensiveness of its content but as reflection of the author’s outstanding experience, understanding and perception.’ Sir Neil Cossons

‘This international gazetteer is a major contribution to the global understanding of how industrial coal mining spread across the globe and how it is presented in the all the major national centres. There is no other published work that does this. This research has international appeal, especially in those countries where industrial heritage is actively promoted. Countries such as China, India, Japan, Europe, and north and south America have growing industrial heritage sectors where scholars would be appreciative of this work.’ Dr Michael Nevell, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust