1-158-972 - Oxford Science Archive/Heritage Images

Coal miner working a narrow seam, c1864. The miner is crouching on the floor and, with a pickaxe, is holing out or scuffling out the coal. He is wearing a leather helmet to protect his head and working by the light of a Davy safety lamp Either side of him are pit props supporting the roof of the level and in the foreground are rails to bring an empty wagon near the coalface for him to fill.