Le sel à l'Age du Fer : réflexions sur la production et les enjeux économiques

Abstract

Amongst the various types of salt production known in Europe during Protohistory, the exploitation of rock salt by mining, then the use of briquetages and saltenis successively developed and declined during Iron Age. Even if it remains difficult to define the status of these various types of productions (domestic, artisanal, industrial), the archaeological data allow us to estimate the quantities produced for some periods, and a general evolution. The question of production is closely linked with its use in secondary products (as a preservative and as seasoning) and with markets, as salt seems to be closely linked to European exchange Systems during the whole Iron Age.