Salt in Human History

Abstract

Traditionally, the study of man has been based on the study of his tools and artefacts, ideas and religion. Such an approach, tbough useful, is often inadequate, for it can fail to take into account items essential to man' survival which consequently play a major role in his history. Such an item is salt. The establisbment of early settlements, the rise and fall of populations, wars, large demographic shifts and the development of agriculture have in the past been intimately related to the absence or presence of salt. Power to control a population's salt supply was power over life and death. Much of our present civilization and habits are based on the ready availability of salt. Yet little attention has been paid to its importance in our lives, and little preparation has been made for a time when it may not be so easily accessible.