Salt

New Mexico’s arid landscape holds a surprising bounty – natural salt deposits and saline springs. These sources have been vital for millennia, shaping the history and culture of the region.

Ancient Reliance on Salt

For Indigenous communities, natural salt licks and brine springs provided essential sodium, a dietary necessity. The Zuni Salt Lake, located near the Zuni Pueblo, was a particularly revered source. Salt wasn’t just for flavor; it also served as a food preservative and played a role in ceremonial practices.

Salt’s Role in European Arrival

Spanish colonists readily recognized the importance of salt and established trade routes to harvest and distribute it. The Estancia Basin, east of the Sandia Mountains, became a key center for salt production.

The Legacy of Salt

Today, salt production in New Mexico is largely industrial, but the historical and cultural significance remains. The Zuni Salt Lake is still a sacred site for the Zuni people, and the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument preserves the remnants of Spanish colonial salt production.

New Mexico’s natural salts continue to be a reminder of the deep connection between humans and the land.