Salt-Making Pottery of Southeastern North America

Resum 

L’apogeu de la producció indígena de sal al sud-est d’Amèrica del Nord coincideix amb la consolidació de l’agricultura basada en el conreu de blat de moro (Zea mays) i es data aproximadament entre els anys 500 i 1700 dC. La ceràmica associada a la producció indígena de sal es divideix generalment en dues categories: grans recipients plans i poc profunds, coneguts com a saltpans, i bols o gerres de petites dimensions, que probablement reflecteixen tant l’evaporació solar com la calefacció directa de la salmorra. Aquest article ofereix un inventari de les característiques de la ceràmica de producció salina a tot el territori per a finalitats comparatives globals. 

Abstract

The peak of Indigenous salt-making in Southeastern North America corresponds to a reliance on maize agriculture and dates from around AD 500 to 1700. Pottery associated with Indigenous salt production generally falls into two categories: large, shallow vessels called saltpans or small bowls and jars, likely reflecting both solar and direct-heating evaporation of brine. This paper is an inventory of the nature of salt-making pottery across the region for global comparative purposes.  

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