考古所见制盐遗址与遗物的特征

Characteristics of Salt Ruins and Relics in Archaeological Sites

盐业考古是考古学的分支学科,其所采用的方法和手段与一般的田野考古并无区别。其不同之处在于,考古学家要了解和熟悉制盐的生产工艺流程,通过对出土遗迹和遗物的观察,还原制盐活动的完整步骤。制盐遗址的特殊之处是文化堆积深厚,这是由制盐产业的特殊性决定的,尤其是在人类早期陶器制盐阶段更为突出。造成这一现象的原因是制盐陶器的使用寿命短,耗损量巨大。制盐陶器与日常生活用具差异甚大,其特点是器类简单、质地粗、厚胎,流行尖底、圜底造型,或加圈足、锥足,还有大量的支脚类附加器件,而且同类器具个体大小和容积接近。其中可细分为熬煮制盐的大型容器和制作盐锭的小型器皿。盐业贸易是人类历史上最早的人际交往活动。通过盐业生产与贸易可积累财富,导致阶层分化、社会复杂化,促进文明化进程,进而推动人类历史的进步。

Salt industry archaeology is a branch of archaeology. The methods and means used are no different from the general field archaeology. The difierence is that archaeologists should understand and be familiar with the salt production process, and restore the whole process of salt production activities by observing the unearthed relics. The special feature of the salt-making ruins is the deep accumulation of culture. This is determined by the particularity of the salt industry, especially in the early stages of salt production. The reason for this phenomenon is that the pottery of salt making has a short service life. Salt pottery is very different from utensils of daily use. It is characterized by simple style, thick texture, thick tires, popular tip and shape bottom or additional foot, cone foot, and a large number of additional accessories. The size and volume of similar appliances are close. It can be subdivided into large containers for cooking salt and small containers for making salt ingots. Salt trade is the earliest interpersonal activity in human history. Through salt production and trade, wealth can be accumulated, leading to class differentiation, social complexity and civilization, and thus promote the progress of human history.