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Ancient Salt mine discovered in Belize,
April 6, 2005
Underwater archeologists discovered over 45 facilities for manufacturing salt were found in the peat bogs of Punta Ycacos Lagoon in Belize, considered to be the main manufacturing point of salt for the Mayan city-states. These included wooden buildings from between the years 600 AD-900 AD, which it is believed were preserved by peat when the mines were submerged underwater. According to the findings, the Maya boiled the salt in ceramic containers, and then shipped them upriver, supported by the discovery of a canoe, the only object of its’ type ever discovered. The significance of the discovery of the salt mines is, it is the first evidence of trade and manufacturing performed by individuals instead of controlled by the larger state.
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