Ancient Trade Research Articles

Historical markets as special spaces of Italy

The article undertakes an anthropological examination of Italian historical markets which are well known but, surprisingly, have been little studied to date. This ancient trade institution has not just survived through the present day, but in fact it has not lost its vitality and still enjoys unusually high popularity among the locals. I attempt to address the aspects of its existence that had not previously been given enough research attention: the human components of markets, their gender, ethnic, and social composition, the relationships between sellers and buyers, as well as the reasons these rather archaic trading structures continue to enjoy high social ratings. I argue that these markets are more than just places of trade; they represent special social and cultural spaces in the context of communal life – certain places of memory – which distinguishes them from regular markets in the usual sense. In this study, I make extensive use of field materials, given the lack of scholarly publications on the subject.

Ancient inequality and economic growth

The authors of this book are archaeologists who want to create a field they describe as ‘critical paleoeconomics’. Their quest is promising in several ways. For example, they are not averse to grand narratives and believe modern economic theory can offer insights into various features of ancient economies, including markets, trade, money and debt.

How to Transform Congenital Disadvantage into New Momentum for Economic Development: Based on the Study of Dutch Foreign Trade

The Netherlands is an ancient trading country, and due to geographical constraints, it has been actively seeking business opportunities and resources. This paper examines how the Netherlands transformed its natural disadvantages into new drivers of economic development since the fifteenth century. The purpose of this paper is to better understand the dynamics and paths of economic development in the Netherlands. This paper takes the perspective of Dutch foreign trade, combines literature analysis and case study methods, and adopts the method of diachronic research. The results of the study show that the Netherlands has transformed its geographical limitations into a new driving force for economic development in the development of maritime power, commerce, and foreign investment. The innovation of this paper lies in the unique perspective. Starting from the economic development process of the Netherlands since the 15th century, it presents readers with a comprehensive and in-depth economic development process of the Netherlands.

The silk roads and shared heritage in Europe: Beyond ‘China to Rome’

This article offers critical engagement with ideas of shared heritage, considering representation of the silk roads in Europe as a counterpoint to their representation in China. Often cast as a ‘bridge’ between ‘East and West’ or ‘China and Rome’ (e.g. UNESCO’s description of the Silk Road Heritage Corridors), the silk roads are regularly depicted as an abstraction of interconnection. And as an abstraction, the idea of shared heritage is often emptied of its potential to communicate greater understanding of the past, respect for cultural difference and co-dependency, or to invite reflection on forms of community constituted through shared histories. Exploring the Sinicization of the silk roads, we argue that much of the rhetoric of shared heritage is deceptively exclusive. We turn to consider the depiction of these histories of trade within Europe, offering a discursive analysis of metatexts around the United Nations World Tourism Organization/European Commission Western Silk Road tourism project, with some discussion of the representation of ancient trade at different European museums. We argue that an enduring legacy of the silk roads’ romanticized image and the transcription of this into commercial tourism inhibit their potential as a useful metanarrative for the future because it fails to communicate the complexity of the past, particularly histories of violence and inequality. However, considering recent depiction of the amber roads, we argue that histories of trade can nevertheless be mobilized towards a more nuanced understanding of the past and a critical reflection on the past and present.

Towards malum prohibitum: crime deterrence strategies for reducing illicit antiquities trade

AbstractFight against illegal antiquities trade has predominantly taken a reactive stance. This study operates with novel quantitative and qualitative data obtained through a survey and interviews with 42 law enforcement agents from 21 source and market countries. An empirical insight on illegal antiquities trade is provided, and a comprehensive reference framework of crime deterrence strategies is created. Incidence and efficiency rates of the identified strategies conceal that a law enforcement response at the market side, strengthened through policing, criminal prosecution, reverse of the burden of proof, market control and traceability, is deemed most effective deterrence-wise leveraging certainty of being caught, severity and celerity of punishment, the key mechanisms of Deterrence theory. By contrast, the existing international and EU legislation are considered inconsistent. The findings reveal the need for critically reviewing the current situation and defining a pathway for antiquities markets from malum non prohibitum environments to at least malum prohibitum climates: shaping proactive policy approaches through updated legislation and targeted crime deterrence and prevention activities to be applied mainly at the market side.

Linguistic borrowings in trade terminologies: an analysis of ancient Indian and Egyptian languages from 3300 BCE to 500 CE

The research delves into the intricate web of linguistic borrowings in trade terminologies between Ancient Indian languages (Sanskrit, Prakrit) and Egyptian languages (Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs, Demotic script) spanning from approximately 3300 BCE to 500 CE. Through a meticulous analysis of selected literary texts and inscriptions, including the Hathigumpha Inscription, Rudradaman I Inscription, Junagadh Rock Inscriptions, Nasik Cave Inscriptions, Rosetta Stone, Satirical Papyrus, and Turin Taxation Papyrus, the study unravels the linguistic evolution and cultural exchanges embedded within ancient trade networks. Contextualizing these linguistic borrowings within the historical framework of trade routes, maritime activities, and economic exchanges, the research sheds light on the nuances of communication and adaptation in commercial interactions. By employing rigorous research methodologies and comparative studies, the findings offer a comprehensive understanding of how language served as a bridge for commerce, diplomacy, and cultural exchange between these ancient civilizations. This study not only contributes to the fields of linguistic history and ancient trade studies but also offers valuable insights into the dynamic interplay of language, trade, and cultural connectivity in the ancient world.

Ageing characterization and origin traceability of archaeological amber artefacts via FTIR spectroscopy and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The archaeological amber artefacts from various periods in China provide valuable insights into ancient international trade and cultural interactions. This study investigated several archaeological amber artefacts (Arc 1–6) from the collection of the Hunan Museum, originating from different historical periods. The examination of the ageing characteristics of the cross-section and weathered surface was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) to analyse the functional groups and chemical compositions. FTIR spectroscopy proved limited information in determining the origin due to natural ageing causing alterations in peak shape/position or signal noise. Py-GC/MS analysis identified the amber artefacts as succinite and revealed that a set of compounds can serve as markers for identifying the origin. The pyrogram patterns classified the samples into two groups based on the marker content. Py-GC/MS results indicated that hydrolysis is an inevitable degradation process during the burial of succinite. Additionally, amber went slow oxidation in low-oxygen environments, leading to cyclization and the formation of polycyclic structures. This research highlights the ageing characteristics of amber artefacts and demonstrates that Py-GC/MS is an effective way in determining the provenance of significantly degraded samples, providing clues to ancient trade routes and cultural exchanges via the Silk Road.

A REVIEW OF THE CAPE GELIDONYA AND ULUBURUN SHIPWRECKS SHED LIGHT ON CYPRUS MARITIME ACTIVITIES

Cyprus had an important place in the ancient Mediterranean trade thanks to its geostrategic location. The island, drew attention with its copper resources and ceramic products in the Bronze Age. Archaeological remains unearthed in Uluburun and Cape Gelidonya shipwrecks support this situation. The cargo of shipwrecks and the route they followed show both the extent of maritime trade during this period and Cyprus’ position in these commercial activities. The high ratio of Cypriot copper and ceramics to the total amount of goods in the shipwrecks is instructive in terms of understanding the role of Cyprus in the maritime activities. The hypothesis of their potential Cypriot origin is supported by the higher quantity of Cypriot-origin products found on these wrecks compared to others. The fact that Cyprus is an important port on the route followed by merchantships and even the view that it could be the initial departure point of them, makes it worth to consider. Accordingly, in this study, the Cape Gelidonya and Uluburun shipwrecks, and the Cypriot goods they contain are examined, and the active role of Cyprus in the maritime trade of the period is investigated.

Analysis of two glass eye (Jatim) beads unearthed from the Northern Wei tomb complex in Dongxin, Datong

This study analyzed two glass eye beads discovered in an ancient tomb complex at Dongxin Furniture Square in Datong, Shanxi Province in China. The tomb complex was dated to the Northern Wei Dynasty (398–494 AD), when Datong was known as Pingcheng. We used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) as well as a 3D microscope system with ultra-depth of field to conduct non-destructive tests on the beads. We examined the beads’ manufacturing techniques, including matrices, eye patterns, and bead holes. The composition analysis revealed that both beads belonged to the mix of v-Na-Ca and m-Na-Al glass system, which is a key indicator of local production in Java. The bases were colored using Co2+, whereas the white, red, and yellow colors of the eye patterns were achieved using SnO2, Cu2O, or Cu0, and PbSnO3, respectively. These findings indicated that both objects were Jatim beads originating in the Kingdom of Java in Southeast Asia. This study provides valuable insights into ancient trade routes between different regions and offers reliable scientific evidence of the glass trade and technical exchanges in ancient times.

Helina S. Woldekiros: The Boundaries of Ancient Trade: Kings, Commoners, and the Aksumite Salt Trade of Ethiopia

Helina S. Woldekiros: The Boundaries of Ancient Trade: Kings, Commoners, and the Aksumite Salt Trade of Ethiopia

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Historical Insights into Sustainable Development: Analyzing the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Ancient Trade and Settlements

Ancient trade routes significantly influenced political structures, cultural exchanges, economic development, and landscape transformations across diverse regions. The Ancient Tea Horse Road, a prominent historical commercial pathway in China, is crucial for ecosystem and cultural heritage conservations. This study uses content and comparative analysis, Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, and spatial analysis to examine the spatiotemporal relationships between 13,026 settlement points identified via Google Earth and 445 recorded settlement names within the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The findings indicate that the Ancient Tea Horse Road evolved from a simple linear form to a complex radial network, reflecting its growth from local to broad regional connectivity. Settlements related to administrative, postal, and commercial functions emerged in its vicinity, underscoring the route’s impact on social structures and economic activities. The development of settlements, mainly within a 10 km radius of the route, was closely linked to its expansion, alteration, and decline, offering insights into contemporary settlement distribution patterns. This research not only enhances the understanding of the Ancient Tea Horse Road and its surrounding settlements but also supports the protection of ancient trade routes and their cultural heritage. It contributes to sustainable development by integrating ecological preservation with the safeguarding of ancient trade routes and their cultural legacies.

Testing non-destructive spectrometric methods for the identification and distinction of archaeological pine wood tar and birch bark tar

Archaeological findings prove the appearance and use of birch bark tar since the Middle Palaeolithic. The production and use of birch bark tar and pine wood tar has overlapped since at least the late Neolithic, but probably for much longer. The reliable chemical identification of such archaeological tar residues can offer valuable insights into, for example, ancient technical complexity, trade and culture. In this context, the scarcity of these mainly organic residue findings in the archaeological record bears the need for non-destructive analytical tools. However, there is currently no systematic proposed way for this purpose. We aim here to verify the organic nature and test the reliability of the identification of archaeological pine wood tar and birch bark tar with a combination of SEM-EDS, FTIR microspectroscopy in reflectance mode and XRD. We examined a set of experimental adhesive replicas of pine tar and birch tar in pristine form, but also after a three-year-long weathering experiment. Additionally, we studied a set of archaeological samples, consisting of Mesolithic bone/antler points with adhering hafting residues, form the Dutch North Sea. This research shows that degradation negatively influences the reliable verification and identification of the organic residue constituents significantly. SEM-EDS as a starting point of analysis verifies the residue’s organic nature, but it cannot be used to identify birch or pine tar. XRD can identify crystalline additives in the adhesive mixture, like ochre and wax, as well as phases related to the artefact’s environment of burial and provenance. Micro-FTIR is also capable of verifying the organic matter of the residue constituents. The differentiation of birch and pine tars is hindered by vibrational modes occurring in neighbouring wavenumbers for both tars, and by the limited research on degradation markers indicative of thermal treatment to prove tar production. Until reference collections also account for degradation and include a wide variety of adhesives, results of FTIR collected in reflectance mode are best treated with some caution.

The Economical and Geographical Importance of Lapis Route

This research explores the intricate web of the Lapis Route, an ancient trade route that formerly linked Afghanistan with the Mediterranean Sea. This study examines the geographical and historical relevance of this ancient road using a qualitative research approach, building on insights from numerous books, journals, and other sources. It focuses on the valuable lapis lazuli gemstone that contributed to the route's notoriety. The research delves into the various segments of the Lapis Route and its convergence with the Silk Road, unveiling the complex web of commerce that thrived amongst various societies. It reveals the significance of the Silk Road historically and emphasizes how it shaped both economic development and cross-cultural exchange. In addition, the study looks into the economic importance of silk, a highly prized item that traveled the Silk Road and supported the region's economy. The study concludes by examining the historical, cultural, and economic significance of the Silk Road and the Lapis Route in Afghanistan. The report addresses the opportunities and problems related to transit and commercial development, emphasizing the possible advantages of reviving the Silk Road. It highlights the possibilities that the revival of this historic trade route holds for fostering regional collaboration and economic progress. This study provides important insights into the historical, geographical, and economic relevance of the Silk Road and the Lapis Route by analyzing them. It draws attention to the routes' lasting impact and their potential to support Afghanistan's and the region's future economic growth.

New Perceptions of Ancient Commerce Driven by Underwater Ancient Site Investigations: A Case Study of Xinfeng River Basin

In the 1950s and 1960s, to address the flooding issues and power shortage that hindered national construction, the Xinfeng River hydropower plant was planned and built to prevent floods, store water, and generate electricity. Consequently, many ancient ruins in the study area were drowned, including ancient post roads, channels, villages, towns, bridges, and other relic sites. By checking historical data and adopting integrated underwater acoustic detection, we conducted a comprehensive cultural-relics survey on the flooded area under Wanlv Lake in the Xinfeng River Basin. A side-scan sonar detection of the underwater relics within the flooded area confirmed the spatial distribution of cultural relics in the Xinfeng River Basin. It portrayed ancient people’s production and life scenarios, outlined the migration and trade history within the region and beyond, and contributed to the enrichment of the literature and understanding of ancient shipping and trade in the basin.

‘Now completely Americanized’: Collecting and transatlantic exchange of the Lansdowne Marbles

Abstract This article examines the sale in 1930 by Christie’s of the collection of ancient marbles formerly belonging to William Petty-Fitzmaurice, 1st Marquess of Lansdowne, and the role that the auction played in the transatlantic trade in antiquities between Britain and the United States in the early twentieth century. It examines how provenance and collecting histories, and the prestige engendered by owning antiquities from a notable collection, became an important marker of taste and desirability for American collectors.

Closure of Khor Al Balid and Khor Rori harbours/estuaries with coastal uplift and aridity in the 12th – 15th c. CE and evidence for an extreme overwash event in the 18th – 19th c. CE: Implications for ancient port sites in southern Oman

Ancient maritime trading ports along the southern coast of Oman have been the target of archaeological excavations for several decades. Though historical chronologies are well-researched, information from a paleoenvironmental perspective is lacking and can provide a more complete understanding of site development. This study investigates the timing of coastal sand barrier accumulation in the natural harbours at Khor Al Balid and Khor Rori, which had considerable effects on the populations at the ancient cities of al–Balīd and Sumhuram, respectively. Six cores from Khor Al Balid and four cores from Khor Rori were analyzed using sedimentological, microfossil (foraminifera and testate amoebae), geochemical (μXRF), and radiocarbon dating methods. Marine proxies (e.g., Amphistegina spp., C. pseudolobatulus, E. limbatum, Sr, Ca/Si) and lagoon proxies (e.g., T. macrescens, T. inflata, C. constricta and C. aculeata, Ti/Ca, Fe/Ca) were used to identify Marine Sand, Brackish Lagoon/Marsh, and Freshwater facies. Results indicate that the eastern arm of Khor Al Balid closed off from the sea around the 12th century CE and that the western arm closed around the 15th century CE. Siltation of harbours and the formation of sand barriers may have contributed towards site abandonment. Previous archaeological findings suggest that al-Balīd was able to continue with maritime trade activities along the southern seaside edge of the city for several centuries after siltation of Khor Al Balid, possibly with the help of dredging. An extreme overwash event was recorded in almost all cores across both sampling sites, suggesting that a very large cyclone or a tsunami hit the southern Oman coast sometime around the 18th–19th century CE. This event, as well as continuous coastal sand accumulation, may have contributed to the decline and abandonment of Khor Al Balid and highlights the impacts that large storm/wave events have on archaeological site preservation.

Flood events in the lower reaches of the Yellow River: OSL and radiocarbon dating on the Anshang site

The lower reaches of the Yellow River have witnessed numerous episodes of flooding and considerable shifts in its course. Examining flood records within the Yellow River basin offers invaluable insights into ancient human settlements, agricultural practices, trade routes, and technological advancements of ancient Chinese civilizations. However, dating these fluvial sediments poses a considerable challenge due to either the scarcity of organic material for radiocarbon (14C) dating or the potential incomplete bleaching of sediments for optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) techniques. This study focused on the Anshang site located in Henan Province, we obtained OSL ages from distinct grain size fractions of quartz and cross-verified them with independent acceleration mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C ages. The findings revealed that both coarse quartz grains (CG) and medium quartz grains (MG) underwent complete bleaching in silt-dominated flood deposits and shallow lacustrine deposits. Conversely, the OSL ages of CG and MG quartz were notably overestimated by approximately 3–6 ka in silty clay-dominated flood deposits. Upon comparing the OSL ages with AMS 14C ages, it was evident that bulk organic matter AMS 14C ages aligned with CG OSL ages in shallow lacustrine deposits, but they appeared older than CG OSL ages in flood deposits. However, the AMS 14C ages from plant demonstrated good consistency. Consequently, we successfully identified flood-lacustrine sediments dating back to approximately ∼13 ka, ∼8–3 ka, ∼2.6 ka, ∼1 ka, and the last few hundred years, aligning well with historical documentation and earlier research. The regional evidence presented herein enhances our understanding of the applicability of OSL dating and AMS 14C dating in fluvial-lacustrine sediments. Armed with these new ages, we constructed a reference chronology for archaeological localities situated in the fluvial sediments of the lower reaches of the Yellow River.

A Comparative Study of Global Accounting and Indian Accounting

Accounting is a tool to quantify all economic and business transactions in terms of money. The economic and non-economic transactions are measured and compared from year to year and country to country with the help of accounting only. Hence, accounting is a backbone of evidence to identify the strength and weakness of any sector of the country. The accounting systems vary from country to country depending upon the nature of the business. The ancient accounting system has a narrow concept which has been followed within a country. Later in the ancient international trade, business tractions were based on the barter system. The traders followed informal accounting records for their business transactions, before the industrial revolution. Due to the industrial revolution (1760) there was mass production in the textile industries, steamindustries, and iron industries. The huge volume of production led to changes in the field of accounting. The spread of the industrial revolution across Europe, hence it requires a common accounting system among the European countries. The expansion of the volume of economic and business transactions gives the necessity of a globally accepted accounting system. Moreover, in the international trade, all countries around the world are involved in both imports and exports. Hence, the international accounting system is required to know the accuracy of global business transaction. India has its own accounting system which is based on the Indian Companies Act, 1956, later the Indian Companies Act, amended, 2013. The Indian Accounting Standard is applicable only to India, which is framed for Indian companies located in India. If any IndianCompanies located outside India have to follow the International Accounting standards.

Faience and Egyptian blue frit from Khorasan: Scientific analysis on beads unearthed from Se Tepe site, northeast Iran

The Khorasan region, located in northeast Iran, has historically served as a pivotal hub for civilizational exchanges, owing to its strategic position along ancient trade routes. Ten beads found in the Se Tepe site (Seh Tappeh or Seh Tapeh), northeast Iran from Yaz III period (550–300 BCE) were identified as faience and Egyptian blue frit using SEM-EDS and Micro-Raman analyses. Plant ash, quartz sand, and bronze scrap as well as lead antimonate yellow colorant were used to make six faience beads. Among the faience beads, four have high alumina contents, showing the connection with vitreous materials from Central or South Asia. Four Egyptian blue frit beads are identified as imports from the Mediterranean World. This research sheds light on the technology and potential provenance of vitreous materials in Achaemenid Khorasan. The diverse origins of these beads underscore the exchange and cultural interactions facilitated along the Great Khorasan Road.