Site Event/Activity record ECH6660 - Salt Store Shed, Lion Salt Works, Marston, Northwich, Cheshire: An Archaeological Watching Brief

In January 2019 an archaeological watching brief was undertaken during the dismantling of a salt stone shed (centring on SJ 67066 75530) at the former Lion Salt Works, Marston. This followed a structural survey that highlighted the poor and potentially dangerous condition of the shed. The Lion Salt Works, including part of the Alliance Salt Works, are scheduled (List entry number: 1020841), whilst the salt store shed itself was a Grade II Listed Building (List entry number: 1329876). Scheduled Monument Consent (SMC) for the dismantling of the shed was submitted and granted in December 2018. The SMC stipulated that the dismantling process should take place under archaeological supervision (a watching brief) and a photographic record made of the process. Although nothing of archaeological significance was revealed during the dismantling of the shed, material deposited between the east elevation and the canal bridge embankment did produce some unexpected results in the form of cinders and waste pottery kiln furniture. This waste material included small cone-shaped spacers used to separate pottery vessels from each other during the glost (glaze) firing stage. Similar kiln furniture was used widely by the Staffordshire pottery industry from the 18th century and throughout the 19th century providing some indication as to the origins of this material. The cinder-rich waste material was probably deposited in order to build-up the embankment and, perhaps, as an aid to drainage. Following demolition of the shed, the concrete retaining walls and timber floor were retained and are to be fenced off for future interpretation to the public. (1)