Saltern

Salterns include modern salt-making works (saltworks), as well as hypersaline waters that usually contain high concentrations of halophilic microorganisms, primarily haloarchaea but also other halophiles including algae and bacteria.

Salterns usually begin with seawater as the initial source of brine but may also use natural saltwater springs and streams.

Brine would be pumped into the pans, and concentrated by the heat of the fire burning underneath.

One of the earliest salterns for the harvesting of salt is argued to have taken place on Xiechi Lake, Shanxi, China by 6000 BC.

[1] Strong archaeological evidence of salt making dating to 2000 BC is found in the ruins of Zhongba at Chongqing.