Earliest salt working in the world: From excavation to microscopy at the prehistoric sites of Ţolici and Lunca (Romania)
Résumé
Since the Early Neolithic, salt has played an important role in the social and economic development of
populations. Consequently, the study and comprehension of salt management strategies have become a
significant component of current archaeological research. This study is part of an interdisciplinary
research program consisting of excavations and detailed analyses on two Early Neolithic salt working
sites situated in the sub-Carpathian region of Romania, Lunca and T¸ olici (county Neamt¸ ). These
remarkably well-preserved sites are characterised by stratified deposits several meters thick. Detailed
stratigraphic descriptions were followed by optical microscopy analysis (soil micromorphology) and
scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with geochemical analysis (EDS). The aim of these analyses
was to identify specific sedimentary, petrographic and chemical characteristics that could be linked to
salt working process. The results enable us to describe the main site formation process over time and to
detect chemical components of edible salt (Na and Cl) in Early Neolithic ashes. These new data
consolidate previous interpretations of the operating procedures implemented from the Early Neolithic
to the Bronze Age. Two techniques appear to have been preferentially adopted: pouring natural brine
onto combustion structures during the Early Neolithic and evaporation in specific ceramic containers
from the Chalcolithic onwards.
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