Bronze Age to Roman period salt production in the coastal areas of peninsular Italy: Palaeoenvironments, production methods and archaeological evidence

Abstract

The landscape characteristics and salt production methods along the coasts of peninsular Italy from the Bronze Age to the Roman period are examined, with a focus on the significance of marine salt for Italy's ancient food economy, given the limited availability of rock salt. Two main methods of marine salt production are highlighted. Briquetage involves using clay or pottery containers to evaporate seawater, which requires specific environmental conditions such as clay availability and significant human labour and technological skill. Conversely, salterns consist of creating shallow ponds or pools for seawater evaporation, demanding flat coastal areas, a stable climate, and controlled seawater flow. While this method is less labour-intensive, it requires substantial initial infrastructure. The potential for salt production in Italy's coastal palaeoenvironments using either method has been evaluated. Key factors include coastal geomorphology, climate stability, and access to raw materials. This environmental data supports an analysis of archaeological remains from salt production sites active from the Bronze Age to the Roman period. The assessment focuses on the material evidence such as clay containers from briquetage and structural remains of salterns, aiming to understand the spatial and temporal distribution of these sites. The discussion also explores the geopolitical implications of salt production, examining how the distribution and development of these sites were affected by broader geopolitical shifts in Italy, including the impact of (proto)urbanization on the expansion and adaptation of salt production practices.