Salt Flats & Mines

While salt is commonplace today, it used to be hard to come by and considered a delicacy, as well as a mark of wealth. Before the Industrial Revolution, salt mining was incredibly dangerous and was done largely by hand. Rapid dehydration in miners from constant contact with salt and the “salt dust” that was breathed in made life expectancy short. As such, this was the work of slaves and prisoners. The difficulty of mining made salt a rare symbol of wealth on a table. Now, however, salt is a kitchen staple. Because of the efficiency of mining, salt is much more commonplace and affordable.