Ancient salt trade revealed by rare briquetage finds along the Elbe

Ancient salt trade revealed by rare briquetage finds along the Elbe

Archaeologists in eastern Germany have uncovered compelling new evidence that ancient communities transported brine along the Elbe River for salt production more than 2,500 years ago, shedding fresh light on prehistoric trade networks and industrial practices in Bronze and Iron Age Europe. The discoveries, made at several sites in Saxony-Anhalt, centre on fragments of “briquetage” — crude ceramic tools used in the production of salt. Although th…