Sigatoka, located on the sand dunes at the mouth of the Sigatoka River of the Coral Coast of the island of Viti Levu in Fiji, is a modern city, and the name of a complex of archaeological sites of the Navatu phase (AD 200-1000) which provide evidence for solar salt production practiced as a household-based craft specialization.
The Navatu phase refers to post-Lapita occupations in Fiji, dated between 2100-900 years ago (BP), with cultural characteristics thought to have been influenced by contact with Vanuatu or New Caledonia in central Melanesia. The type site is Navatu 17A, located on Viti Levu in the Lau Group of Fiji.
Archaeological surveys, coupled with large-scale excavations in the 1960s, identified considerable evidence of salt working, but it wasn't until the early 21st century that scholars identified a salt production site at this location.
Among Sigatoka's archaeological discoveries was a small village, occupied between 610-675 AD. Excavated from 2000-2002, the village was found to have a range of house foundations and storage pits, artifacts and faunal materials. Although nearly 11,000 pottery sherds were recovered at the site, only three could be associated with salt production: clearly, salt production took place away from the village.
Salt Processing at Sigatoka
In 2006, archaeologists identified and began excavating a salt processing station, situated on a flat part of the beach about one kilometer (1/2 mile) from the village.
Ethnographic studies of salt production in nearby modern villages gave scholars evidence to work from, to identify salt production techniques. To create salt for trade, modern Fijians excavate a collection pond and collect saltwater from it at low tide. The brine is poured into large flat heavy pans set over an open fire in a wooden structure. The salt is evaporated out of the water after a full day's boiling, and then packed into a container, where the salt is formed into a block. Finally, the salt blocks are decorated for sale.
Salt production at Sigatoka Sand Dune was identified through the presence of a type of coarse-grained ceramic vessel called a salt tray, a large flat-bottomed oval or circular pan believed to have been used for evaporation pans. Nearly 8,000 sherds from salt trays were recovered at Sigatoka Sand Dune, accounting for about 9-10 trays, and probably representing about 1/10th of the number of trays used at the site. The flat, oval to round vessel diameters range between .52-.78 m (1.6-2.5 ft), with a rim height of up to 65 millimeters (2.6 inches). Also found at Sigatoka were over 2,000 sherds from globular, well-fired jars with in-turned (everted) rims, often decorated with nail impressions and incised patterns. Researchers believe these were used to transport water or perhaps hold the brine to create cakes of salt.
A hearth of a size and intensity to burn all day assisting with evaporation has been not identified at Sigatoka. A small hearth with coral cobbles, volcanic stone and large ceramic sherds was discovered near the ceramic scatter is interpreted as a open air kiln which might have been used to fire the trays. Faunal remains and other artifacts were absent, and only two postholes were identified, leading researchers to argue that the trays were set on the dune surface, rather than elevated over a hearth. These characteristics are traits related to solar production of salt.
Clay suitable for potting does not occur at Sigatoka Sand Dunes, but it is believed to have been transported to the site from over a kilometer away.
Based on the evidence, the research team surmise a total of 900 liters of salt could be produced over a three month period, by a single household of salt producers, for trade with non-coastal people.
Archaeology at Sigatoka
Excavations at Sigatoka were completed during field schools between 2000 and 2006 led by David Burney of Simon Fraser University, and with support of the National Trust for Fiji, Fiji Museum, Fiji Ministry of Immigration and Mr Chris Work, Kulukulu village.
Sources
This glossary entry is a part of the About.com guide to Salt Production, Lapita, and the Dictionary of Archaeology.
Burley DV, Tache K, Purser M, and Balenaivalu RJ. 2011. An archaeology of salt production in Fiji. Antiquity 85(327):187-200.
Clark G, and Anderson A. 2009. Fieldwork in northern Viti Levu and Mago Island. In: Clark G, and Anderson A, editors. The Early Prehistory of Fiji. Canberra: Australian National University. p 121-152.
Clark G. 2009. Post-Lapita ceramic change in Fiji. In: Clark G, and Anderson A, editors. The Early Prehistory of Fiji. Canberra: Australian National University. p 307-320.
