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D is more concise, and therefore stylistically preferable. Furthermore, the phrase 'having salted' ties the action more closely with the agents of the action - the Carthaginians. The phrase 'the salting of' does not ascribe agency (=doing the action) to the Carthaginians. For example, theoretically, this phrase could indicate that the salting was a spontaneous natural response (like 'salinization') which was only indirectly due to the Carthaginians. On the other hand "having salted" clearly conveys an action - the spreading of salt over the field.

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The needed idiom here is X is credited WITH Y. Eliminate A, B and C.

In E, the combination of ARE CREDITED and SALTING could imply that both actions are happening AT THE SAME TIME. In D, are still commonly credited with HAVING SALTED makes the sequence of events clear, since HAVING + past participle implies PRIOR ACTION. Eliminate E.

The correct answer is D.

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