Three samples of briquetage were collected from a salt production site at Street House near Loftus for dating by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). A series of radiocarbon dates hinted at the existence of a rare Early Neolithic saltern dating to the early fourth millennium cal BC. There was a distinct possibility, however, that these dates may relate to an earlier phase of occupation with subsequent Bronze Age, Iron Age or even Roman activities potentially having disturbed much older deposits. The aim of the luminescence dating was to provide independent age estimates for the salt-making activity, allowing the taphonomy of the samples submitted for radiocarbon dating to be assessed.