Salt was one of the most valuable products of antiquity, with multiple references to its diverse uses and applications in the literary sources of the time. However, despite its importance, archaeological evidence of sea salt production is quite scarce. Only a few known sites along the Mediterranean have preserved remnants of ancient salinae, the facilities dedicated to salt production.

In the Roman Empire, salt was not only a crucial element for food preservation but also played a central role in the economy and culture. It was used in religious ceremonies, medical practices, and even as a form of currency in some cases. Despite its ubiquity in Roman life, the archaeology of salt production remains a relatively unexplored field, especially when it comes to physical traces of the salinae.

Among the regions of the Empire, it is the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, specifically the ancient Roman province of Gallaecia, that has provided the greatest amount of direct evidence of sea salt production. This sector of the empire has been the subject of numerous archaeological studies over the past decade, revealing a fascinating picture of how salt was produced and distributed in Roman times.

The archaeological studies in Gallaecia have been revealing. Through excavations and surveys at various coastal sites, researchers have identified numerous traces of ancient salinae, deposits that not only show how salt was extracted from seawater but also provide information about the techniques and tools used in its production.

Salinae mentioned in the study
Salinae mentioned in the study. Credit: Brais X. Currás et al.

Archaeological research has allowed the reconstruction of what we might call “Roman salt landscapes” on the Atlantic coast of Gallaecia, and specific areas have been discovered where salt production was concentrated, indicating the existence of an organized and extensive system of salt resource exploitation.

The evidence includes remains of structures such as evaporation pools and channels, which are fundamental to the salt production process, as well as tools and utensils related to the collection and storage of salt, and ceramic remains that allow these settlements to be dated to the Roman imperial period.

Thanks to chronological indicators obtained through methods such as ceramic analysis and radiocarbon dating, archaeologists have been able to establish that many of these facilities were in operation during the height of the Roman Empire, particularly in the 1st to 4th centuries AD.

Salt production in the Roman Empire was not only an economic activity but also a process regulated by specific laws and fiscal systems. Roman legislation determined the forms of ownership and labor organization of the saltworks. These regulations ensured that salt production was carried out efficiently and that the corresponding taxes were collected adequately.

In Gallaecia, the saltworks were under strict state control, indicating the strategic importance of salt in the imperial economy. The Roman administration established specific rights and duties for salt producers, ensuring that the resource was exploited sustainably and profitably.

The existence of a network of salt production and trade in Gallaecia fostered the development of coastal communities, promoting commercial exchange both locally and in other parts of the Empire. The export of salt and salted products, such as fish, provided Gallaecia with a significant role in the Roman economy, making it a crucial hub of maritime trade.

SOURCES

Brais X. Currás Refojos, Antonio Rodríguez-Fernández, et al., The roman saltworks of the Atlantic coast of Gallaecia: Traces and evidence of a large sea salt production complex. Quaternary Science Reviews, Volume 339, 1 September 2024, 108832. doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2024.108832

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