The roman saltworks of the Atlantic coast of Gallaecia: Traces and evidence of a large sea salt production complex

Abstract

Judging by the numerous references to its many uses and applications in the literary sources, salt was a precious commodity in Antiquity. However, the archaeological traces of sea salt production are rather scarce with only a few known sites throughout the Mediterranean preserving remains of ancient salinae. In the Roman Empire as a whole, it is the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula that has provided the greatest amount of direct evidence of sea salt production. After analysing the archaeological evidence documented in excavations and field surveys conducted during the past 10 years, this paper describes the Roman salt landscapes on the Atlantic coast of ancient Gallaecia, the distribution of evidence, and the chronological indicators allowing to date them to the Roman Imperial period. The legal and tax system determining the forms of ownership and labour organization of saltworks is also examined. In light of the results, it is possible to conclude that on the northwest Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula there was a major sea salt and fish salting production network which had a direct impact on the socioeconomic structure of provincial society.