Research conducted on the ancient Roman city of Salionca has revealed its abandonment and destruction in the late fifth century AD. This event seems to be linked to barbarian invasions, indicated in the archaeological record by the appearance of traces of a great fire and the hiding of a significant collection of tools as can be seen in the attached image.

However, what did the disappearance of the political, social and economic hub imply for the salt works? Salt continued to be a product of vital importance to the economy and, therefore, control over the salt works must have been a key aspect in the new reorganization of the territory.

The disappearance of the central power exercised by Roman Salionca, as well as the difficulties the new rulers had to control the difficulties quickly and effectively led to the direct presence in Salinas of individuals who worked there and of local and regional aristocracies who came to control the site. This led to the development of a complex salt working community in the valley that continued to make salt on the evaporation platforms and market the product.

The people who settled in Añana did not concentrate in one location, but built their dwellings and storage facilities near the salt works. This resulted in a scattered settlement that began on the lower slopes of the valley - among the salt-pans - and worked its way up depending on the terrain and layout of the tracks.