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The Ethnosal project. Ethnoarchaeological
investigation at the Moldavian salt springs

Marius Alexianu & Olivier Weller

Introduction
Figure 1
Figure 1. Saltwater supply at Poiana Slatinei, Lunca (photograph O. Weller). Click to enlarge.

The oldest evidence for salt production in Europe, and probably worldwide, is from Poiana Slatinei-Lunca in eastern Romania, in the Early Neolithic (6050-5500 cal BC) (Weller & Dumitroaia 2005). This salt spring is located in the Moldavian Subcarpathians, where there are about 200 salt springs, in an area densely populated from the Pre-Cucuteni and Cucuteni cultures onwards (5100-3500 cal BC). Salt must have influenced prehistoric communities in fundamental ways, and yet this is hard to determine directly from the archaeological remains themselves. A distinctive element of the Moldavian salt springs is the fact that they remain in use, and even today are exploited at a high level of intensity (Figure 1). This has motivated an ethnoarchaeological approach to the study of prehistoric salt (Alexianu et al. 1992).

Figure 2
Figure 2. Location of the study area. Click to enlarge.

The archaeological and ethnoarchaeological work has been intensified since 2004, with a Franco-Romanian team (O. Weller and M. Alexianu since 2004; R. Brigand since 2005), accelerating in 2007 with a three-year project known as Ethnosal financed by the Romanian government. The project now extends to the whole of the Moldavian Subcarpathians (Suceava, Neamt, Bacau and Vrancea counties) (Figure 2), with Neamt as the main focus (Alexianu et al. 2008). The agenda has expanded to ensure holistic understanding of the complex phenomenon of long-term saltwater exploitation, starting with the Early Neolithic (Starcevo-Cris culture).

Research objectives and aims

The main research objectives are as follows: 1) identification of all Moldavian salt springs and associated archaeological remains; 2) analysis of the role of salt springs as a resource structuring the territory and also as a resource for the development and stability of human communities through time; 3) examination of early texts (Oriental, Greek, Latin and medieval) through an ethnohistorical approach; 4) use of ethnographic research for finding more analogies.

Figure 3
Figure 3. Ethnographic study in progress at Halabutoaia, Tolici (photograph O. Weller). Click to enlarge.

To achieve the first objective, we use various documentary sources, historical and toponymical data, geological and pedological maps, as well as information from ethnographic surveys. The salt springs are geo-referenced with GPS in order to map all the springs in the Moldavian Subcarpathian area (Figure 3). GIS is being used to analyse and compare the distribution of salt springs and settlement patterns, mainly for the prehistoric periods (Weller et al. 2007).

As regards the ethnohistoric project, the purpose is to identify concordances and define spatial and chronological behavioural trends generated by the presence of salt springs (exploitations, uses, barter transaction, trade, social and symbolic aspects etc.). We describe the types of salt springs (wells, flow, uses...) and undertake survey around to find potential archaeological remains of indigenous salt production (Figures 4 and 5). The project also intends to collect saltwater samples to identify chemical elements and salinity level for all known springs.

The principal aim of the systematic ethnographic research is to help answer questions related to the archaeology of salt springs. The ethnographic survey involves: 1) identification of salt springs; 2) spatial analysis; 3) transport; 4) uses of saltwater; 5) game and hunting; 6) crystallization of salt from the springs with thermal treatment; 7) frequency of supply; 8) trade and exchange; 9) behaviours/ethnoscience; 10) symbolism of salt.

Figure 4
Figure 4. Location of salt springs surveys (2004-2008). Click to enlarge.
Figure 5
Figure 5. Saltwater wells in contemporary use (photographs O. Weller & R. Brigand). Click to enlarge.

The ethnographic and ethnohistorical evidence, correlated with data on water chemistry, population density and topography, modelled and then interpreted, will soon provide a solid basis for investigating the prehistory of salt springs exploitation, a tradition that has almost disappeared in Europe today. The various models obtained through the project will be tested in other areas of the world where there is archaeological evidence for salt springs exploitation, but no present-day use of the springs. The new working hypotheses should improve understanding of archaeological evidence: activities around springs, the spatial organisation of salt production and the amazing diversity of its use.

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Acknowledgements

The Ethnosal project - The salt water springs of Moldavia. The ethnoarchaeology of a polyvalent natural resource - whose main lines of research were elaborated in 1992, involves a small-sized team (Dr Marius Alexianu, manager; Dr Olivier Weller, expert researcher, PhD candidates Roxana Curca, Vasile Cotiuga, Iulian Moga). We would like to acknowledge the Romanian government for their support (project CNCSIS IDEI n° 167/2007), the department of archaeology and social sciences of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the CNRS Human and Social Sciences Department.

References

  • ALEXIANU, M., Gh. DUMITROAIA & D. MONAH. 1992. Exploatarea surselor de apa sarata in Moldova: o abordare etnoarheologica. Thraco-Dacica 13: 159-67.
  • ALEXIANU, M., O. WELLER & R. BRIGAND. 2008. Usages et enjeux autour des sources salées de Moldavie précarpatique, Roumanie, in O. Weller, A. Dufraisse & P. Pétrequin (ed.) Sel, eau et forêt d'hier à aujourd'hui (Cahiers de la MSHE Ledoux 12 ; Homme et environnement 1): 49-72. Besançon: Presses Universitaires de Franche-Comté.
  • WELLER, O. & Gh. DUMITROAIA. 2005. The earliest salt production in the world: an early Neolithic exploitation in Poiana Slatinei-Lunca, Romania. Antiquity. Available online at http://www.antiquity.ac.uk/ProjGall/weller/index.html.
  • WELLER, O., R. BRIGAND, L. NUNINGER, Gh. DUMITROAIA & D. MONAH. 2007. Analyses et modélisation spatiale autour des sources salées de Moldavie précarpatique durant la Préhistoire, in N. Morère (ed.) Las salinas y la sal de interior en la historia : economía, medioambiente y sociedad: 165-84. Madrid: Universidad Rey Juan Carlos/Dykinson.

Authors

* Author for correspondence

  • Marius Alexianu
    Universitatea 'Al.I. Cuza' Iaşi, Platforma Arheoinvest. Secţia etnoarheologie, Iaşi, România (Email: alexianumarius@yahoo.com)
  • Olivier Weller*
    CNRS, Universités Paris I-Paris X, UMR 7041-ArScAn, Protohistoire européenne, Nanterre, France (Email: olivier.weller@mae.u-paris10.fr).

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