Salt and Soda in Antiquity
The evaporitic deposits of the Wadi Natrun on the edge of the Western Desert of Egypt have been used in variety of crafts and industries for over 6,000 years. This project investigates the formation processes of the evaporitic deposits between the different lakes in the Wadi and for the Wadi as a whole. It has shown that the precipitation of sodium carbonate minerals within the lakes is seasonal and probably subject to long term fluctuation as climate varies. This has a significant impact on the use of the lakes for ancient industries, particularly the manufacture of glass.
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Dr Andrew J Shortland
T: +44 (0)1793 785642
E: a.shortland@cranfield.ac.uk
Centre for Archaeological and Forensic Analysis
Centre for Forensic Anthropology Research
