Archaeologists in North Korea uncover 5,500-year-old salt production site

Archaeologists in North Korea have uncovered a remarkable window into humanity's early ingenuity—salt production sites dating back more than 5,000 years in the coastal district of Oncheon County near Nampo city, state-run media reported Thursday. The discovery, announced by Pyongyang, reveals how ancient communities mastered one of civilization's most essential resources, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Excavation details

The excavation, led by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in collaboration with local experts, identified both Neolithic and Bronze Age facilities used to extract salt from seawater. "In this process, salt production sites from the Bronze Age and Neolithic Age (5,000 to 5,500 years ago), including a saltwater storage facility and a salt roasting facility, were discovered in the Won-eup Workers' District of Oncheon County, Nampo City, which are the first of their kind in our country," according to KCNA.

Layers of history

In the deeper strata, fragments of intricately carved Neolithic pottery were found alongside clay mixed with ash, once used to hold brine. Above them, Bronze Age remains include hardened mud-lined storage areas and distinctive spinning-top vessels. Scientific analysis revealed significantly higher salt content in these soils compared to surrounding areas, confirming the site's purpose. Pottery dating revealed that the upper layer dates from the Bronze Age, approximately 5,000 years ago, while the lower layer dates from the Neolithic period, about 5,500 years ago.

Historical significance

Experts have since recognized the site as a valuable historical treasure, highlighting the Taedong River basin as an early center of human civilization. The discovery provides new insights into ancient food preservation and trade practices on the Korean Peninsula.