Ancient Egyptian Trade

Ancient Egypt was a center for trade and commerce throughout the ancient world. The Nile River played a significant role in facilitating the trade and exchange of goods as it provided the Egyptians with a mode of transportation for their products. During the ancient times, the ancient Egyptians specialized in the production of agricultural products such as wheat, barley, papyrus, and other crops that they used in trade. The ancient Egyptians traded with other civilizations along the Nile, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Red Sea.

One of the famous trading partners of the ancient Egyptians was Punt. Punt was an African civilization located along the coast of the Red Sea. The Egyptians traded with the people of Punt for exotic goods such as frankincense, myrrh, ebony, leopard skins, and gold. The Egyptians also traded with other North African civilizations such as Libya for furs, ivory, ostrich feathers, and slaves. They exchanged wheat, linen, and gold for these commodities.

The ancient Egyptians also traded with Mesopotamia for wood, oil, and clothing. They also traded with Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine for cedarwood, wine, and olive oil. The Egyptians exchanged these products for their trade goods such as papyrus and linen. The ancient Egyptians had a system of barter trade where goods were exchanged for other goods. They used a standard unit of measurement known as the deben which was a copper or gold weight. The ancient Egyptians used the deben to trade commodities such as grain, gold, and cattle. The standard unit of measurement was used to ensure that there was fairness and equality in the trade transactions.

In conclusion

trade played a critical role in the development of ancient Egypt. The Egyptians had a vibrant trade network that connected them with other ancient civilizations. The trade network allowed the ancient Egyptians to exchange commodities and acquire exotic goods that they could not produce in their country.