A Late Saxon to Medieval Saltern at Marsh Lane, King's Lynn, Norfolk

Trenches in the western part of the site revealed archaeological features associated with salt making in the medieval period. Surviving in-situ elements of enclosed hearths for brine boiling; hearth floors, flues and superstructures were recorded. Two of these hearths were found to truncate clay-lined pits which probably represented silt filtration units for brine production. Layers of burnt deposits, fuel ash slag, and fired clay fragments from hearth destruction were also present. The trenches in the eastern part of the site were devoid of archaeology. A programme of further excavation across the saltern mound deposits in the area to be impacted upon by the proposed development uncovered additional evidence for medieval salt making in the form of open hearths and filtration units.