The Archaeology of Salt Production in Post-Medieval Ireland

Abstract

SUMMARY As a key component of Ireland’s agricultural and marine economy, salt was a much prized and vital commodity for the trade of the nation. Yet, archaeological evidence for salt-working is surprisingly sparse particularly for early periods; leading to its neglect as a focus for thematic study. This paper presents the first systematic survey of the archaeological remains associated with salt production in Ireland, considering a range of expressions and their implications. Beyond the material evidence, salt can be considered a proxy for understanding the wider commercial and social processes affecting the country in the post-medieval period.