Salt production, distribution and use in the Britsh Iron Age

The study of salt during British prehistory has experienced an awakening during the past 40 years. In this work the author explores the evidence for the production of salt in the coastal regions of Essex, along the south coast and at the Droitwich salt springs in the prehistoric period. The evidence for the distribution of salt from Essex, the south coast and the salt springs of Droitwich and Cheshire is reviewed based upon discussion of briquetage finds. Models for, and implications of, salt distribution networks are considered and a speculative discussion of non-archaeologically visible distribution is also presented. Four case studies comparing Iron Age sites in salt producing and salt using regions are included to establish the relative presence of salt evidence in the archaeological record and its value as a social status discriminator. Finally, information is presented on how salt may have been used in the Iron Age and the social and ritual uses of salt are also discussed. A gazetteer and bibliography of 519 Bronze and Iron Age briquetage find sites is included as an on-line download.