Study of the trade networks and routes during the Bronze Age, including the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural practices.
Metalworking: Understanding the techniques used for bronze casting and how they evolved during the Bronze Age.
Raw materials: Examining the sources of tin and copper used to create bronze and how these resources were obtained and traded.
Technological advancements: Tracking the evolution of transportation, including the development of maritime technology, in terms of their role in facilitating long-range trade.
Economic systems: Analyzing the role of trade and commerce in early Bronze Age societies, including the establishment and operation of markets and trade routes.
Cultural exchange: Investigating the impact of trade on cultural interactions, such as the spread of ideas, art, language, and religion.
Trade networks: Studying the patterns of long-distance trade, such as the early Mediterranean, the Baltic, and the Aegean, and how these interacted with local and regional trade.
Warehouses and storage: Examining how stockpiles and storage areas were established, organized, and managed during the Bronze Age, including the use of seals and other means of tracking inventory.
Trade routes: Understanding the different routes that were used for long-distance trade, and how they were influenced by factors such as geography, politics, and climate.
Currency systems: Learning about the different currency systems and how they evolved during the Bronze Age, including the use of precious metals, cowrie shells, and other forms of exchange.
Trade contracts: Investigating the role of contracts and agreements in Bronze Age trade, including the use of seals, cuneiform tablets, and other legal documents.
Demand and supply: Analyzing the extent to which supply and demand affected the direction and volume of Bronze Age trade, including factors such as population growth, technological innovation, and political stability.
International relations: Understanding the role of trade in diplomatic relations between early Bronze Age kingdoms and empires, and how it impacted the rise and fall of these political entities.
Archaeology: Learning how archaeologists use material evidence from archaeological sites to reconstruct Bronze Age trade and exchange systems, including the use of pottery, metal objects, and other artifacts.
Production and consumption: Investigating the relationship between production and consumption in early Bronze Age societies, and how this was largely shaped by trade relationships.
Trade and warfare: Examining the link between trade and warfare in the Bronze Age, including how economic rivalries and shortages might have led to conflict.
Metals: Bronze Age trade largely revolved around the trading of different types of metals like copper, tin, silver, gold, and iron which were used in making jewelry, tools, and weapons.
Textiles: The second most important trade item in the Bronze Age was textiles, including raw materials like wool, linen, and cotton, and finished products like clothing and rugs.
Ceramics: Pottery was another significant trade item in the Bronze Age as it was used for storing and transporting trade goods, cooking and preserving food, and containing liquids.
Precious Stones: Gems like amber, agate, and lapis lazuli were sought after and used for making jewelry and decorations.
Spices: Spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and saffron were used for cooking and medicine, and were traded across the Bronze Age world.
Salt: Salt was a valuable commodity in the Bronze Age, used as a preservative for food and traded between different societies.
Livestock: The trading of livestock, particularly cattle and sheep, was an important component of the Bronze Age economy.
Timber: Wood was used for building materials, fuel, and various household items, and was traded from areas with a surplus to those with a deficit.
Food items: Agricultural products like grain, olives, and wine were traded across the Bronze Age world.
Stone: Certain types of stone like flint and obsidian were used to make tools and were traded across vast distances in the Bronze Age.