It is a squidge of clay used to support a pan in which iron age people boiled sea water to extract salt somewhere on the East coast, north of Skegness. Imprinted on the clay, which was fired in the process, are the fingertips of the salt-maker's right hand. If you fit your hand around it, your fingers fit exactly into the depressions. When I discovered it on the beach, nobody had touched it for well over 2,000 years. It brought that iron age person to life.
Clay salt pan support
Contributed by Tizz
Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the Â鶹Éç or the British Museum. The Â鶹Éç is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.
Podcast
Highlights from the collection
Â鶹Éç iD
Â鶹Éç navigation
Â鶹Éç links
Â鶹Éç © 2014 The Â鶹Éç is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Share this link: