Archaeological Salt at Mesa Verde and Trade with Areas to the North and West

ABSTRACT

In the course of a regional study on prehistoric trade, salt from Mesa Verde sites has been identified as an “exotic,” and therefore “trade,” item. Samples from the known salt specimens have been analyzed, and are identified as coming from marine rock salt deposits. Two possible sources for this marine rock salt are known, with the most likely source occurring in the Sevier Valley of central Utah. A review of trade links between the study region and areas to the north and west suggests the southern Fremont people as possible intermediaries in salt trade between central Utah and the Mesa Verde region.