Identifying content through casks

Abstract

In the late medieval and early modern period, beer and herring emerged as the predominant export prod-

ucts from the coastal region of the Netherlands. The archaeological tangible evidence of these two products is represented by casks. Even though these casks are a common find during archaeological research, determining the original contents of these casks remains a challenge. This makes it difficult to connect users of the casks to specific products and their trade networks. This study is focused on the identification of Dutch beer and herring casks that were produced between the 15th and 18th centuries. To address this goal, various types of sources were utilized. Information regarding cask construction was obtained from archival legislative records. During their use, the casks were subject to monitoring by urban authorities and guild councils, who employed gauge instruments that are now preserved in museum collections, which were used to ascertain their specifications. Additionally, the casks themselves provide valuable insights into the packing material of beer and herring. Both casks depicted in artwork and those recovered from maritime archaeology sites were

examined to gain a comprehensive understanding of beer and herring casks.