Sodium Chronicles… Grain by Grain. New Methods for Quantifying Ancient Salt Demand

Salt played a crucial role in ancient societies, serving both dietary and industrial purposes. Despite its importance, direct quantification of salt demand remains challenging due to limited archaeological evidence and the complexity of variables involved in salt production. This study proposes an indirect approach to estimating salt consumption through a reconstructive model of agropastoral landscape exploitation. By assessing the maximum number of people and animals requiring salt, along with the production of food items such as bread, cheese, and preserved meat, this model allows for a broad estimation of salt needs in each settlement.