Archaeologists Uncover Earliest Maya Salt Works in Belize

The discovery at Jay-yi Nah reveals insights into ancient Maya salt production practices dating back to 250-600 CE.

A team from LSU and the University of Texas at Tyler excavated the Jay-yi Nah site, finding it dates to the Early Classic Maya period.
The site, preserved in red mangrove peat, was used for local salt production, lacking the trade connections seen in later periods.
Artifacts found at Jay-yi Nah contrast with those from nearby sites, which included imported pottery and materials.
The discovery includes wooden posts and pottery sherds that resemble those from the nearby Wild Cane Cay site.
The findings provide new understanding of technological changes in coastal salt production and the evolution of Maya trade networks.