FAST Lecture | Passing the Salt: Investigating an Overlooked Commodity in the Roman Empire

Salt is an essential commodity in the diet of both humans and animals. It also flavors and preserves food, and it is employed in activities such as dyeing clothes, working with metals, and making perfumes and medicines. Its manufacture and uses have recently begun to attract attention in some regions of the ancient world, although it has long been overlooked in others. This presentation considers the manufacture of salt in the province of Africa Proconsularis—and elsewhere in the Roman empire—and argues for the strong possibility that the product was destined for both local and long-distance markets.

David Stone is a lecturer in the U-M Department of Classical Studies. His research interests include the intersectionality of urbanism, economy, and imperialism in the Roman world, particularly in North Africa. He is involved in several excavations and field surveys, including the urban survey of Leptiminus in Tunisia, and he serves as the director of field survey for both the Olynthos Project and the Pella Urban Dynamics Project. 

This event will take place in Room 125 of the Kelsey Museum’s Newberry Hall. Light refreshments and food will be provided before the lecture, which will begin at 6 PM.

FAST (Field Archaeology Series on Thursday) lectures are free and open to the public. If you have any questions or concerns regarding accessing this event, please visit our accessibility page at  https://myumi.ch/zwPkd or contact the education office by calling (734) 647-4167. We ask for advance notice as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.