Site Event/Activity record ECH5781 - Archaeological excavations at Second Wood Street, Nantwich in 2003-4

Excavation during 2003 ahead of the construction of residential properties at Second Wood Street, Nantwich, provided the opportunity to examine medieval and post-medieval remains associated with the industrial history of the town. The remains of a series of timber structures/salt wich houses (Structures 1,2,3, 4a,4b,5,6), were revealed, together with a range of artefacts connected with the expansive salt industry (rakes, wicker salt baskets, mallets). A hollowed out tree trunk or salt ship was recorded within Structure 1 dating to to the thirteenth century; it was re-used in later structures. Within Structure 4, a line of 8 barrels were recorded in a revetted channel, along with a hearth and the earlier salt ship. Dendrochronological dating of structural timbers indicated occupation on the site from as early as the late thirteenth century to the sixteenth centuries. The analysis of environmental samples has shed light on the medieval environment. Further work was undertaken in 2004 to excavate, lift and preserve the salt ship which is now on permanent display in Nantwich museum. (1-3)