How did they used SALT for money in the old days. or better yet WHY did they used salt for money in the old d

Answer 1

They did not use it a s money they used it as pay. Back then salt was very useful it was used to preserve food like raw meat just put it in salt and it will last for some time.They used salt for pay because there wasnt really not much to buy besides food and clothing its not like they could go and buy some cute scarf or some earrings they mostly all wore the same stuff only the royals or queens wore different clothing only fancier but they didnt work so thats that why they used salt as pay.

Answer 2

Salt Used As Money

Answer 3

Ancient people (especially Africans) needed a LOT of salt. If someone was crossing the desert on a camel, they might sweat. When you sweat, you are using up salt. What would you sweat without salt? You could get seriously sick, since scientists have a hypothesis that sweating is good for you. Also, without salt, you get weak. Without salt, how would you do many of the things you must?
Also, salt was very rare in old times. Therefore, salt became worth its weight in gold.

Answer 4

Tip : The lack of salt is what made the slavic leave ukraine in the middle ages and settle all over easter europe (poland,slovakia,slovenia,croatia, serbia, bulgaria ect.)

Salt could be used for 1. cooking 2. salting food to make it last for months and do not go bad. 3. making leather and furs for clothing. 4. it was even used for light just like candles.

Answer 5

Salt was used because it was so precious. It was very hard to come by, since it had to be processed from seawater. Soldiers were probably paid their "salary" (a ration of salt) because like now, army food wasn't exactly the best. They were given room and board already, so that wasn't an expense.

Answer 6

Salt was used just like gold dust a certain weight had a certain value. It was rare and labor intensive to procure in a usable form, and is very needed by the human body, and as a way to help preserve foods.

Answer 7

Because salt was valuable. Not many had it but it was something they wanted. Think about it, without value, regular money means nothing. That's why the bartering system worked--you traded something someone else needed in exchange for something you need.

Answer 8

FYI that in some remote regions, salt is still used as currency today.

Answer 9

It was wanted by all but held by a few. It was worth its weight in gold.