Salt Ponds in Pre-Columbian Era
The natural salt ponds of St. Martin, particularly those near Great Bay, played a vital role in the lives of the island’s pre-Columbian inhabitants. These ponds, formed behind sandbars along the coast, were not only essential for salt production but also served as a crucial resource for the communities that settled nearby. Archaeological evidence suggests that the early inhabitants of St. Martin utilized the salt ponds for food preservation, a practice that would have been essential for sustaining their communities, especially during periods of scarcity. The ponds’ proximity to the settlements at Great Bay and other coastal areas provided easy access to this valuable resource.
During the archaeological reconnaissance of 1979-1981 led by M.P. Sypkens Smit, evidence was found indicating that these salt ponds had been in use since pre-Columbian times. The ongoing formation of sandbars, even into the present day, has continued to influence the landscape, making the salt ponds a dynamic feature of the island’s environment.
The strategic importance of these ponds during the pre-Columbian era is highlighted by the settlement patterns that developed around them, with communities establishing themselves in areas where they could easily exploit both the marine and terrestrial resources available.
References: Sypkens Smit, M.P., Versteeg, A.H. (1982). Preliminary Report on the Archaeology of St. Martin. Westermann, J. & De Palm, J. (1985). Environmental History of the Lesser Antilles.