Trade in Ancient Mesopotamia: How Commerce Encouraged Civilization

"Local trade in ancient Mesopotamia began in the Ubaid period (circa 6500-4000 BCE), had developed into long-distance trade by the Uruk period (circa 4000-3100 BCE), and was flourishing by the time of the Early Dynastic period in Mesopotamia (circa 2900-2350/2334 BCE). Developments in trade continued up through 651 CE, the beginning of the medieval period of the Near East. Trade began in Mesopotamia for the same reason it did anywhere else - need."

"The development of long-distance trade during the Ubaid and Uruk periods led to the invention of writing in the form of cuneiform script by circa 3500 BCE so that merchants could communicate with clients in foreign regions or distant Mesopotamian cities. Cuneiform was refined at Uruk circa 3200 BCE, enabling clearer and more precise communication in written form, which eventually allowed for the development of literature."

Local trade in Mesopotamia began in the Ubaid period (circa 6500–4000 BCE), expanded into long-distance networks by the Uruk period (circa 4000–3100 BCE), and flourished by the Early Dynastic period (circa 2900–2350/2334 BCE), continuing development through 651 CE. Trade arose from surpluses of grain, clay, and reeds exchanged for metals, minerals, and wood. Long-distance exports included ceramics, glass, grain, leather goods, oils, reed products, and textiles. Trade stimulated the invention and refinement of cuneiform script (circa 3500–3200 BCE), adoption of wheeled vehicles, road development, and greater use of domesticated animals. Trade reinforced surplus food, labor division, urbanization, government, and writing, central elements of civilization.

Read at World History Encyclopedia