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8 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | SEPTEMBER 2025 By Janet Boyce, Resident Since ancient times, salt has been a valuable commodity: shaping settlements, influencing economies, and playing a crucial role in human survival. Humans collected salt as early as 6,000 BC from salt springs and dried seabeds. They needed it to regulate fluid balance, nerve function, and for transporting nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Some of the earliest, permanent settlements were established near salt sources, because it ensured survival and food preservation. This was essential before refrigeration, impacting food storage and trade. Salt comes from the word, salary. Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt. A familiar phrase today is "worth one's salt." Chemically, salt is a combination of sodium and chloride. Armies depended on salt to preserve food during war times. The power of a state could be determined by the ability to control salt sources. Salt became one of the world's first commodities and form of currency. It was traded over long distances which created trade routes such as the Trans-Saharan and Roman Roads. Governments recognized salt's value, so it was taxed, and production was controlled. It was considered as valuable as gold in some regions. Many cultures have associated salt with protection and incorruptibility. It is a symbol of purity and preservation. Some religions use salt for blessings and purification rites in offerings, rituals, and covenants. Salt was a key product for mummification by the ancient Egyptians. It was also highly valued by the Greeks, Romans, Hebrews, and Chinese. Eventually, salt became vital for chemical industries. Today, salt is used for de-icing roads, water treatment, and numerous industrial processes. One of the best things about salt is that it is used for seasoning, since it enhances the flavor of food, making it a desirable part of the human diet. Maybe that's why we need to monitor our salt intake! In conclusion, salt's journey through history is a testament to its fundamental importance to humanity. The History of Salt