NHER 51419 (Monument record) - Iron Age/Roman and medieval salterns

April 2008. Trial Trenching.
Evaluation of proposed development site.
The two trenches excavated diagonally across the site revealed a complex sequence of archaeological deposits believed to represent evidence for at least three episode of saltern use. The earliest phase of activity was associated with a mound that was exposed in the north-west corner of the site, adjacent to the former channel of north-to-south aligned saltmarsh creek. This mound, which was possibly a natural feature, was overlain by what appeared to be compacted, possibly trampled, buried soil layers containing fragments of fired clay briquetage, charcoal, ash and patches of clay and dark organic mud. That a saltern had been associated with this mound was demonstrated by the discovery of a collection of briquetage fragments within the mound surface. Although initially interpreted as an in situ structure, the lack of evidence for an associated hearth suggests that these fragments were most likely displaced. Nearby features included a steep-sided sub-circular pit that may have been used for the collection and storage of fresh water or brine. There was also some evidence to suggest a much larger clay-lined feature was also present at this location and an elongated pit or ditch at the base of the mound may have had a drainage or water collection function. Although no pottery was recovered in association with these features and deposits the briquetage is thought to have included both vessel fragments and pedestal supports, which suggests an Iron Age or Roman date for this phase of activity.
A second mound adjacent to the saltmarsh creek was identified in the south-west corner of the site. This was clearly not a natural feature, lying above a black ashey layer likely to represent the debris from heaths associated with salt-making activity. That this mound was associated with a medieval phase of salt production was demonstrated by the presence of unabraded pottery sherds of 14th to 15th-century date sealed within its basal layer.
Both of the earlier mounds and the tidal creek next to them were sealed beneath a substantial silt deposit that was up to 2m deep and present across the site. This layer almost certainly represented the remains of another, much larger saltern mound, being composed of undifferentiated washed and dumped silts containing occasional briquetage (brick) fragments. Although no dating evidence was recovered it is assumed that this deposit was associated with a later medieval phase of salt production. It is highly likely that this deposit represents the remains of the probable saltern mound visible as an indistinct earthwork on photographs taken of the site in 1943 (NHER 27928). The undifferentiated nature of the silts forming this later saltern mound and the lack of any alluvial horizons are notable, suggesting either that the material had accumulated rapidly, or that the site had been protected from flooding.
Information from report uploaded to OASIS, HER copy awaited.
P. Watkins (HES), 18 April 2018.

December 2014. Watching Brief.
Monitoring of groundworks associated with construction of new industrial units.
Initial piling operations were not monitored although an archaeologist was present to observe that subsequent excavation of ring-beam trenches. Due to the shallow nature of these groundworks it was agreed that monitoring would cease prior to their completion.
Removal of the topsoil exposed a deposit described as a pale clay silt alluvial layer, although the results of the preceding work suggest that this was most likely the top of the large late medieval saltern mound.
See report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 18 April 2018.