Old Mines
Old mines are mines that are no longer in use and have long been abandoned. Fictional old mines may have been left behind from an ancient civilization or simply be a relic from a more recent prosperous time. They may contain collapsing chambers, collapsing floors, sudden drop offs, old mine cart tracks, elevator shafts, and dangerous gaseous build-ups. They may connect to expansive cave systems, ancient underground ruins, or underground rivers. Beasts, aliens, and monsters may have made these mines a home. They may only appear to be old and instead be a hidden government facility or secret lair. They may contain skeletal remains.
| Synonyms: ancient mines, abandoned mines |
| Example Mythonyms: the Old Coal Mine, Miller’s Mine, the Lost Mine of Aruuk |
Designing Fictional Old Mines
Old mines may still contain traces of whatever material was being extracted – diamonds, gems, coal, ore, or a fictional material. They may be dangerous sites, prone to sudden collapse or cave-ins. There may flooded chambers.
