Ancient searching methods of prospectors of european north-east of Russia

Prospecting and mining methods of ancient prospectors for searching salt, iron ores and river pearls are described. The wide spread of salt, iron and pearl works on European North-East of Russia in XVI—XVIII centuries testifies about expansion of prospecting and technological knowledge among the native population. The ancient methods allow to prospect, to select and to enrich the mineral raw and to choose the place of future rock works.