Work

Earliest Ancient Maya salt production in southern Belize: excavations at Jay-yi Nah

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Salt works along the Yucatan coasts of Mexico and Belize provide a record of salt production for inland trade during the height of Late Classic Maya civilisation (AD 550–800). At the Paynes Creek Salt Works in Belize, production focused on the creation of salt cakes by boiling brine in pots supported over fires in dedicated salt kitchens. Underwater excavations at the Early Classic (AD 250–550) site of Jay-yi Nah now indicate there was a longer and evolving tradition of salt making in the area, one that initially employed large, incurved bowls to meet local or down-the-line trade needs before inland demand for salt soared.

Source: Antiquity

DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2024.186

Authors: Heather McKillop, E. Cory Sills

Institutions: Louisiana State University, The University of Texas at Tyler

Language: English

Topic: Historical Studies in Central America

Subfield: History

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450

Funder: Division of Social and Economic Sciences