For ten points, name this commodity, manufactured in part by evaporating seawater in pools called  sebkhas.
During the Tang and Song Dynasties, the Chinese government monopolized iron and this commodity which inspired Huan Guan to write Discourses on this commodity  and Iron. This commodity was produced in great quantities at Aigues-Mortes, and (*)  the Halstatt culture derived much of its wealth from trading this commodity. The city of Taghaza was a mining center for this commodity, and one march named for this commodity reached the sea at the town of Dandi. For ten points, name this commodity, manufactured in part by evaporating seawater in pools called  sebkhas.
During the Tang and Song Dynasties, the Chinese government monopolized iron and this commodity which inspired Huan Guan to write Discourses on this commodity  and Iron.
salt