Abstract
The salt spring exploitation from Hălăbutoaia - Ţolici (Neamț County, Romania) dates back to the Early Neolithic and lasted throughout Chalcolithic. The deposit stratigraphy is estimated at 8 m and covers 2500 years of history (c. 6000–3500 BCE). In order to document the possible use of plants, particularly of the grasses, in the salt production process, we realized a detailed study of phytoliths preserved in several archaeological levels of Hălăbutoaia site. The most identified morphotypes come from grass family. Analysis revealed an important representation of inflorescence bracts phytoliths (especially Elongate dendritic) showing the anthropogenic origin of the assemblages. Bilobate are also well represented. These forms attest the presence of wild panicoid grasses (e.g. wild millet) and/or cultivated millets in the area. In some very punctual assemblages, forms produced by dicots are well represented. Considering the low phytoliths production by dicots plants, it involves a special accumulation of these types of plants that could be related to woody plants used as fuel for salt production. It is very possible that grasses had a very important role in pyrotechnology used to produce salt, either as the main fuel or as a mean for controlling the temperature or even as a firelighter.
Highlights
Material and methodTwenty-six samples from several stratigraphic units (US) were collected for phytolith analysis (Fig. 3; Supplementary material 1, available online)
The sub-Carpathian area from Eastern Romania is characterized by a high density of saltwater springs: over 200 are
The abundance of BILOBATE phytoliths and glumes phytoliths emphasizes the possible involvement of cultivated Panicoideae, but more evidences are needed to draw a definitive conclusion
Summary
Twenty-six samples from several stratigraphic units (US) were collected for phytolith analysis (Fig. 3; Supplementary material 1, available online). Seventeen samples were directly obtained from micromorphological blocks, which insured a twofold interpretation and allowed to consider diverse stratigraphic contexts (mostly ash features with hearths, and secondary deposits with maintenance and waste). Phytoliths extraction was carried out in UMR 7264 CEPAM Université Côte d’Azur - CNRS, starting from a sample of sediment of between 1 and 3 g. – Clay deflocculation with distilled water under magnetic stirring, 200 μm tumbling for coarse particles removal, centrifugation 2000 t. – Decarbonation with concentrated hydrochloric acid (33%) by heat and using the ultrasonic bath. At least 200 phytoliths with an identified morphology were counted. Phytoliths were named following the International Code for Phytolith Nomenclature 2.0 (ICPT 2019)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
