Published: Thursday, 9th November 2023
New light has been shed on the salt-making history of Gaywood's North Marsh thanks to the development of homes and the Greenpark Avenue School in the area.
The findings are to be published in a new book.
Archaeological research was funded by the borough council and carried out, in partnership with Norfolk Property Services and Lovell, as part of the preparatory works for the development of homes and a new primary school on the site off Green Park Avenue. This area was formerly known as Gaywood's North Marsh. Oxford Archaeology carried out a programme of excavations between 2017 and 2019 and the resulting findings have now been published in a book.
The work uncovered extensive evidence of salt-making which would have been a vital part of the coastal economy in the middle Anglo-Saxon (7th/8th century) to medieval period. The marshland, which at the time was to the east of the Wash and to the north of the ancient inlet known as the Lyn, was rich in salt or 'white gold' which was gathered from the brine-saturated muds of the marsh.
Research following the excavations included examining medieval documents and historic maps, many of which are reproduced in the book. Together with scientific dating, this shows that this industry was in decline by the 12th century and by the 13th century it was no more. However, tell-tale signs of the practice of salt-winning remain with the existence of numerous mounds or hillocks which would have been formed through the accumulation of waste deposits from the process.
Principal Project Manager James Grant said:
"While this book is quite a technical read, it is fascinating to learn about the industry that would have occurred on the site all those years ago. It gives quite an insight into the area's importance to trade and its role in the development of the wider town."
Lead archaeologist for the project, Graeme Clarke, said: “There was much anticipation as each mound was opened to see what lay inside and a growing realisation, as each group of salt-making remains was brought to light, that important discoveries were being made. This book highlights this industry’s role in shaping the landscape of Gaywood that we see today.”
The book 'Salt-winning on the Lyn' is published by Oxford Archaeology (www.oxfordarchaeology.com) and would be of interest to people interested in how the town developed in Anglo-Saxon and medieval times. The book is part of the East Anglian Archaeology series (eaareports.org.uk) and will be available from Oxbow books.