An arrastra (or arrastre) is defined as a circular rock-lined pit in which broken ore is pulverized by stones attached to horizontal poles fastened in a central pillar and dragged around the pit typically by a horse. they are described as being rare in Australia and unknown in New Zealand.

Recently HLA (the company I work for) has been reviewing a remediation plan for a silver mine near a town called Emmaville (formerly Vegetable Creek) and in the report there is a site described as a whim but which looks like an arrastra (an is too far from the shaft to be a whim). 

As a consequence I am now looking for other archaeological examples of arrastra's from Australia or other countries so I can make an informed decision on what the site is and its comparative rarity.

yours

Iain Stuart

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