Earliest salt working in the world: From excavation to microscopy at the prehistoric sites of Ţolici and Lunca (Romania)

International audienceSince the Early Neolithic, salt has played an important role in the social and economic development ofpopulations. Consequently, the study and comprehension of salt management strategies have become asignificant component of current archaeological research. This study is part of an interdisciplinaryresearch program consisting of excavations and detailed analyses on two Early Neolithic salt workingsites situated in the sub-Carpathian region of Romania, Lunca and T¸ olici (county Neamt¸ ). Theseremarkably well-preserved sites are characterised by stratified deposits several meters thick. Detailedstratigraphic descriptions were followed by optical microscopy analysis (soil micromorphology) andscanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with geochemical analysis (EDS). The aim of these analyseswas to identify specific sedimentary, petrographic and chemical characteristics that could be linked tosalt working process. The results enable us to describe the main site formation process over time and todetect chemical components of edible salt (Na and Cl) in Early Neolithic ashes. These new dataconsolidate previous interpretations of the operating procedures implemented from the Early Neolithicto the Bronze Age. Two techniques appear to have been preferentially adopted: pouring natural brineonto combustion structures during the Early Neolithic and evaporation in specific ceramic containersfrom the Chalcolithic onwards