Studies

One of the key aspects for achieving the established objectives was the multidisciplinary nature of the team that carried out the work and, most importantly, the collaboration of its members. Ultimately, the goal was to create a Master Plan based on interdisciplinarity.

The work organization chart was designed following the guidelines outlined above, attempting to unite the basic knowledge necessary to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis of the valley and its surroundings and make a series of proposals that would guide the way forward in the process.

The Management Plan was developed by a multidisciplinary team. The fundamental part that provided a solid foundation was executed between 2000 and 2004 (Master Plan). Until the creation of the Añana Salt Valley Foundation in 2009, its initial requirements were overseen by the Historical-Architectural Heritage Service of the Provincial Council of Álava.

A wide variety of highly specialized and prestigious teams have collaborated on the studies carried out over this period, including the Late Antiquity and Medieval Archaeology Group, the Archaeology of Architecture at the University of the Basque Country and the Department of Geography, Prehistory, and Archaeology; firms such as I.K.T., Geograma, and Noski; and departments also from the Basque Public University, such as the Department of Geodynamics, Mineralogy and Petrology, Geography, and Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the Bilbao Higher Technical School; and the Department of Stratigraphy and Paleontology at the Bilbao Faculty of Science and Technology. Updates to the architectural section of the Management Plan are the responsibility of the Historical and Architectural Heritage Service of the Provincial Council of Álava.

1.- ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES GROUP

They include the results of tests conducted on materials (action of woodworms on wood, degree of protection/attack produced by salt), construction systems and subfloors, deformation status, loads, and stresses.

The description of the Salt Valley has been integrated into the Geographic Information System (GIS). To this end, a drawing has been generated for each element. However, such a large amount of information must be structured and organized, which is why it has been divided into 384 Production Units (PU). The delimitation of each unit does not respond to historical criteria, but rather is a set of threshing floors, wells, platforms, and frameworks that form a logical unit, or in other words, one that has the capacity to produce salt autonomously.

The Salt Valley cannot be understood with a mere graphic description of its elements. This description is completed with a functional study of the salt-making activity, since this is, ultimately, their livelihood. A study of salt production in the valley was carried out. Knowledge of traditional techniques and their future projections allowed for the design of a production plan that economically supports their future activity. The ownership of the salt pans, their distribution in farms, and their current organization around the Gatzagak salt-making society were also addressed.

The constructive studies were carried out in two directions: the first consisted of an exhaustive cataloging and classification of each of the elements that comprise them, and the second, the constructive study of each of the typologies and their operation. The first part was integrated into the GIS database, allowing for the creation of simple thematic maps or maps cross-referenced with the rest of the information from the other disciplines. The second part was used to establish the criteria that are allowed or not for future projects.

The main groups for which information associated with the general database was entered were: springs, distribution network, storage wells, salt pans, and communication elements.

Finally, the behavior of the different building types was examined, generating information on their durability and ease of maintenance. At the same time, the development of building types over time was analyzed, emphasizing the reasons for each of the changes in typology or materials that have been introduced throughout history in the Salt Valley and the beneficial or detrimental effect each has had.

The structural studies have been approached as a specific development of the construction studies. Specific elements—foundations, frameworks, masonry, platforms, and surface finishes—have been analyzed to create models that provide insight into their current behavior and help design new interventions. Finally, an architectural maintenance manual has been created, explaining the key steps to ensure that the various activities carried out in the Cultural Landscape fully respect its Outstanding Universal Value.

2.- HISTORICAL-ARCHAEOLOGICAL STUDIES GROUP

These studies aim to determine the temporal variability of the salt complex and integrate historical and archaeological criteria as key factors in establishing the salt mine maintenance strategy. This group has applied the methodology known as “Architectural Archaeology,” which includes bibliographic, documentary, and oral source studies among ancient salt mines and historical archives, as well as studies of subsoil stratigraphic analysis and, fundamentally, stratigraphic analysis of the salt construction system.

The set of historical studies was entrusted to the Architectural Archaeology Research Group at the University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), whose primary objective was to understand the historical and constructive evolution of the valley. The aim was to understand its transformations over time, its diachrony, and its phases; in short, all the vicissitudes that the salt complex has undergone throughout its more than 7,000-year history.

The research was carried out following the guidelines of the discipline known as Architectural Archaeology. However, the valley’s morphological peculiarities give it a unique character that has necessitated the modification of conventional working tools. This rethinking arose largely as the study progressed and situations unforeseen by conventional working systems arose. For all these reasons, the Salado Valley has become, in this sense, a laboratory for constant experimentation with new ways of approaching the object of study in archaeology.

The analysis carried out was divided into five phases:

• The first consisted of the archaeological evaluation of the valley through a comprehensive study of an area with very specific boundaries. The chosen area was characterized by a state of preservation that allowed us to work safely, high visibility of its structures, and visible construction differences that could indicate a certain diachrony in the stratigraphic sequence.
  The difficulties identified and the results obtained allowed us to critically assess what we were facing, the changes we necessarily had to make to our usual work tools, and the process to follow for the remainder of the investigation.
• The second phase served to develop the working instruments, identify and describe all the salt structures, and begin entering the data, both graphic and alphanumeric, into the Geographic Information System.
• The third stage of the work began in mid-2002. During this phase, the stratigraphic analysis itself was carried out following the methodological guidelines for the study of complex buildings developed for the Cathedral of Santa María in Vitoria-Gasteiz (Álava).
• The fourth phase consisted of a comprehensive analysis of the results obtained during the previous stage, establishing the constructive evolution of the Salt Valley, contextualizing the results historically, and establishing work protocols for the future.
• The fifth and final phase consists of the archaeological control of all activities carried out in the Añana Salt Valley, with the execution of excavations at strategic points in the salt mines. These excavations are generally located during maintenance work and are providing valuable information about the earliest origins of salt production.

The idea that a comprehensive historical-archaeological study of the salt mines could not be reduced solely to the stratigraphic analysis of the construction elements has been present from the beginning of the work. The stratigraphic analysis is closely linked to another series of studies that have provided information not only on the development of construction, but also on the history of the valley, its owners, the methods of salt production, the salt workers, etc.

For all these reasons, in parallel with the work carried out during the aforementioned phases, other studies have been carried out, such as: toponymic analysis of the valley and its surroundings, exploration of available graphic material (old photographs, orthophotos, maps from different periods, etc.) and the bibliographic and documentary emptying of all those publications and archives that contained information referring to the Cultural Landscape of the Añana Salt Valley.

All this work has yielded important scientific results. A specific doctoral thesis on the topic has been developed and has already been published, as well as numerous scientific and educational conferences and publications, which have made it possible to share the scientific advances being generated with society.

3. SOCIOECONOMIC STUDIES GROUP

The purpose of the work carried out has been to determine and propose—at different levels—the socioeconomic impact that could be generated by enhancing the value of the Cultural Landscape’s historical-architectural and natural heritage. Likewise, various management alternatives have been stipulated and evaluated—also at different levels—that could ensure the promoted socioeconomic recovery would guarantee the preservation of the heritage and that it could be partially self-financed through the joint action of public and private initiatives.

To achieve these objectives, the study has taken into account that, both in the development of potential activities and in the proposal of management alternatives, the interests of the socioeconomic stakeholders that make up the salt flats and their surrounding area must be considered. This is because these stakeholders are the potential drivers of projects that, in line with the existing scenario, can consolidate the overall recovery strategy.

The studies carried out during the Plan were the following:

• Analysis of the organizational and financial management of Valle Salado based on the current Gatzagak S.A. community of owners.
• Design of the organizational structure of the institution that was to promote and organize the measures proposed by the Plan.
• Study of economic management and potential sources of public and private financing.
• Registration of regulatory conditions and territorial planning: Municipal Subsidiary Regulations, Partial Territorial Plan for Central Álava, Sectoral Territorial Plan for Agroforestry and Rural Environment, etc.
• Analysis of existing potential for the creation of a socioeconomic development structure around Salinas de Añana and its surrounding region.
• Inventory of promoters (public and private).
• List of existing regional resources with potential for tourism and cultural use, including facilities, access, roads, etc.
• Study of the potential of the salt-producing area and its surroundings as a tourism and cultural product, including services, activities, and specific needs.
• Catalog of potential users of the services and facilities.
• Development of a methodology for integrating the various initiatives into the overall project and analysis of their feasibility.

4.- ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES GROUP

The character of the Añana Salt Valley Cultural Landscape is based on several highly interrelated facets. Among these, the mining and industrial components are worth mentioning, as both are the foundation of the salt flats, giving rise to an architectural landscape and, consequently, a Cultural Landscape.

The Salt Valley is an architectural conglomerate of productive elements of varied typology and form, embedded in nature, where time and the development of the complex itself have created links between the productive space, the urban center of Salinas de Añana, and its landscape and environmental surroundings.

For all these reasons, this study group aimed to inventory and diagnose the status of the various natural resources present, both in the salt flats and in their immediate surroundings, establishing the precise criteria to be taken into account when establishing conservation priorities.

5. LANDSCAPE STUDIES GROUP

In the study of the Cultural Landscape of the Añana Salt Valley, the landscape was characterized at the regional and territorial scale, taking into account genetic factors in both cases. Zooming in on the territorial scale, the intrinsic components were recognized from a systemic perspective, and their dynamics and evolution were analyzed, establishing and characterizing the different landscape tiles or units that make up the territory.

From a visual perspective, the different visual basins that also compartmentalize this space were delimited and characterized. Their visibility was quantified and valued, and these were considered Observation Points and Landscape Landmarks in the territory.

The third scale of analysis was the Añana visual basin, or Salt Valley. Using a similar approach but with the required level of detail, attention was paid to the landscape elements and units that comprise and explain the valley’s structure. Visual characteristics were analyzed in terms of capacity and resources. The uses of this landscape’s most recent history and those that still remain were recognized. Finally, attention was paid to the accessibility and recognition of this valley and its territory, also considering them as valuable.

6. GEOLOGICAL STUDIES GROUP

From a geological perspective, the Salt Valley Cultural Landscape is the result of a series of mineral-technical activities aimed at exploiting hypersaline springs through evaporation. The resulting industrial facility is conditioned by the unique characteristics of the evaporite substrate, which, in addition to generating a unique hydrogeology, limits the land’s potential for use due to its unique geochemical and geotechnical characteristics.

The study of geotic aspects was carried out from three perspectives:

1. From a basic descriptive perspective: stratigraphy, tectonics, geomorphology, hydrology, lithology, etc.

2. From an economic geological perspective: mineral resources, industrial rocks, educational and cultural resources in the salt mines themselves, diapir formation, etc.

3. From a geological hazard perspective: flooding, landslides, erosion, etc.

After analyzing the aforementioned points, other stages of the study were carried out, involving the following activities:

First, the flow diagram or flowsheet of the exploitation system was designed and interpreted, from the saline springs to the brine outlet for distribution. Based on this mineralogical and technical diagram, the stone materials used in the exploitation, their lithology, volumetry, origin, distribution, etc., were discussed.

Potential external and internal risks were also analyzed. The former refer to external geological processes that could impact the maintenance of the salt mines, while the latter refer to those that may arise within the mine.

Activities and uses that could alter the geotic environment and, therefore, affect the salt mines were studied. Among these, special attention was paid to the protection perimeter of the springs that supply brine to the production infrastructure. The Geological Points of Interest of the Salt Valley and their immediate surroundings were described as potential educational and cultural resources. The conclusions of the work were summarized, and proposals were made for the maintenance of the geological environment and its public display.

Furthermore, as part of the geological study, a mineralogical analysis of the clays present in the salt mines was carried out. A physical and chemical characterization of the brine from the various springs in the valley was also carried out to evaluate salt production.

Regarding the study group signed with the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of the Basque Country for the study and dissemination of the geological aspects of the Cultural Landscape, the following objectives have been established:

a) To identify, evaluate, and catalog in detail the different elements that constitute the geological heritage of the area. Elements of geological heritage are understood to be all rock levels, tectonic structures, fossil remains and accumulations, or unique relief forms resulting from the action of geological agents.

b) To develop materials for the dissemination and social use of scientific knowledge. The newly developed material includes the design of geological guides showing the most outstanding and striking points of the main elements of the area’s heritage.

c) To develop educational blocks related to the geological resources offered by the area. The educational blocks will be dedicated to reflection and learning about different topics or blocks of knowledge related to geological heritage. To this end, detailed and scientifically rigorous explanatory brochures will be prepared.

d) Development of educational activities in the form of workshops related to the geological resources offered by the area. A series of educational workshops will be offered to showcase the geological heritage of the area in various scientific disciplines, from a recreational and educational perspective.

7.- INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The Cultural Landscape of the Añana Salt Valley is such a broad, complex, and evolving structural element that it was necessary to compile and structure all the descriptive information generated by the different teams involved in the Plan into a Geographic Information System (GIS).

The GIS designed fulfills four basic objectives. First, it allows for the collection and organization of the vast amount of information generated by each of the teams working together to develop the Management Plan. Second, it serves to relate geographic information with the alphanumeric data generated through queries, becoming a powerful analytical tool. Third, it has been used as a simulation tool, which, combined with the above, has significantly contributed to identifying the origins of the problems in the Salt Valley and their possible solutions.

And fourth and last, the introduction of all the information into the GIS, combined with the fact that all the structures of the Salt Valley have been drawn down to the smallest detail in three dimensions in an AutoCAD file, allows us to perfectly document the Cultural Landscape, unequivocally contributing to maintaining the integrity and authenticity of the salt flats. Furthermore, it is a system in which each element of the Salt Valley is identified and monitored, with all information related to its evolution included in its corresponding files.

The GIS enables the development of thematic cartographic representations based on queries of the information contained in the database. These queries allow for the modeling of various scenarios for action, intervention, and evaluation of the Management Plan.

8.- DOCUMENTATION OF THE SALT VALLEY AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELING

A topological structure was carried out using 1:500 cartography as a basis, placing the various defining elements of the salt network (thresholds, wells, warehouses, upper networks, lower networks, etc.) in differentiated thematic layers. Based on this structured information, all elements were identified and numbered with unique codes, so that the entire study system refers unequivocally and uniformly to each element. The codes of the graphic elements are linked to a record in a database organized into different sections so that each team can link their studies to specific structures.

A detailed catalog of construction elements and their typologies was previously compiled, which made it possible to code the database fields. Photographic documentation of each element is also included. This database enables a complete graphic reconstruction of the complex at a very specific moment in the history of the Añana Salt Valley.

The exhaustive documentation work carried out in all areas of the Añana Salt Valley allows, when necessary, architectural maintenance projects to be carried out with complete fidelity to the original structure of the salt flats, even facilitating the generation of three-dimensional images and videos of the salt flats.

9. CULTURAL AND TOURISM PROMOTION STUDIES

The Management Plan includes a Tourism Promotion Plan that has been developed to promote the development of both the Cultural Landscape of the Añana Salt Valley and the surrounding area. The objective is to create a sustainable, high-quality tourism product.