Bronze Age Trade and Currency

Neues Museum

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The necessity of transporting large amounts of goods led to the expansion of trade routes and innovations in the building of carts and ships.

Through long distance trade, amber from the Baltic made its way to southern Italy and Cornish tin to the Danube area. The exchange of goods between neighboring regions was also of great importance.

Metal objects were used as universally accepted mediums of exchange. Their value depended on the weight. Artefacts like rings, axe heads or sickles were even produced specifically as means of payment. If needed, smaller parts could be cut off.

Raw materials, life stock, tools, weapons, jewelry and probably slaves were the most commonly exchanged commodities. Some precious imported artefacts probably reached their destination as political gifts.

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Trade routes, weight-based currency, and commodity exchange in the European Bronze Age: from amber to political gifts

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Source:  Berlin, Germany