The Daxie Site,located on Daxie Island in Ningbo City,Zhejiang Province,represents the earliest known remains of China's prehistoric sea salt industry.These remains,attributed to the Qianshanyang Culture and dating back to the second phase of the site,have been uncovered through archaeological excavations and interdisciplinary analyses.It has been revealed that during this epoch,the inhabitants predominantly utilized the"scraping mud and spraying brine"technique for sea salt production.An examination of contemporary brine-making practices on Daxie Island,combined with insights from archaeological remains,artefacts,and historical records,elucidates a prehistoric brine-making process comprising five sequential steps:scraping salt mud,constructing mud sluices,drying salt mud,leaching brine,and collecting brine.This study conducts a systematic experimental archaeological investigation focusing on each phase of the prehistoric brine-making process.The research introduces discernment criteria and methodologies for identifying brine-making remains during archaeological excavations,emphasizing aspects such as brine leaching and storage facilities,salt mud,calcium nodules,and salt-making tools.It underscores the critical role of experimental archaeology in identifying salt-making remnants and reconstructing ancient salt-making techniques,particularly in instances where other evidences are scarce.
Daxie sitePrehistoric salt industryHalogen processExperimental archaeology
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