close iframe icon
approved icon AdelFerrito avatar
AdelFerrito
Banner

Salt-pans the stuff of legends

The ability of salt to preserve food eliminated the dependence on the seasonal availability of food, and it also meant that food could be transported over long ...
Read more

The ability of salt to preserve food eliminated the dependence on the seasonal availability of food, and it also meant that food could be transported over long distances. However, salt was difficult to obtain, and as such it was a highly-valued trade item. Many salt roads, such as the via Salaria in Italy, had been established as far back as the Bronze Age.

Today, salt is almost universally accessible, relatively cheap and often iodized. It is commonly believed that Roman soldiers were at certain times paid in salt. It is said the soldiers who did their job well were ‘worth their salt’.

This, however, is debatable: ‘salary’ derives from the Latin word ‘salarium’, possibly referring to money given to soldiers so they could buy salt. The Roman Republic and Empire controlled the price of salt, increasing it to raise money for wars, or lowering it to ensure the poorest citizens could easily afford what is an important part of the diet.

Along the Maltese and Gozitan coast there are about 40 sites where salt is still collected using very old traditions, to preserve food. For instance, the Qbajjar salt-pan or ‘salini’ (an Italian derived toponym meaning salt-pans) in Gozo have been used since Roman times for harvesting sea salt.
Read less

Views

475

Likes

Awards

Fall Award 2020
Peer Award
OJ_Photography SBPHOTOGRAPHIA mikegallaway andrewsmith_5524 Sadolia SEE_PODIO_Pablo-Klik nevesincs +20
Superb Composition
ssantaana vincentdovey J_Milteer13 RobinK MamzellAC coxcraig jimbillups +3
Top Choice
mararsirako IrinaPopovaPhotography BEEES tahirabbasawan PhotoByFriday olygrim allyann
Absolute Masterpiece
Jonny_Saunders ParksFamilyPhotography jimmahoney suzannefleming_5984 peteralessi pietnel
Magnificent Capture
AmberDMeredith Lexa_Richards phillyrob MickAlicic
Outstanding Creativity
brianmorrill reazahmedmonzu KimberlyAFuller
All Star
mahamilton

Top Ranks

The Battle Of Advanced Photo ContestTop 20 rank

Categories


See all
It’s your time to shine! ☀️

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.

Already a member? Log In

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service, and acknowledge you've read our Privacy Policy Notice.