Subject: Re: File wells-and-spas introduction
Sent: 8/22/98 8:30 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
This is to introduce myself, Bea Hopkinson, to the list. In the
1950's I became interested in the natural sub-artesian brine springs
that occur at Droitwich in Worcestershire. Salt was made there from the
Bronze Age to the 20th century and it was not until 1836 that it became a
spa town. Intrigued by the continuity of the industry, and the folk tales
that persisted, I began to seek out original documents and read
geological and chemical texts to better understand more about this pure
brine virtually saturated with sodium chloride.
The anomolous terminology used by the industry in Anglo Saxon
charters, Domesday Book, and borough records became my biggest challenge.
I was eventually able to recognize a formulae used to describe the
distribution and boiling of this brine. This allowed me to explain, and
quantitatively tabulate the Domesday entries, and trace a Crown tax on
salt from the 8/9th-17th century. The archaeological evidence was also
intriguing, and lead me to experimentally reproduce briquetage (the
ceramic remains of pots used to drain and dry salt). Mostly an Iron Age
technique in Europe, it can be traced in the Near East to the late 4th
millenium BC.
The mineral content of springs, and its variations in different
ecological environments was an obvious element in all aspects of this
research. I look forward to learning more of your own research into
wells and spas and folklore.
>3. FIRST MESSAGE
>
>For your first message to the list, please introduce yourself briefly,
>giving a short synopsis of your research/interest in this field.
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