Market economies have been a driving force in human society for at least 3,500 years, predating even the earliest forms of state governance. A recent study published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour by archaeologists from the universities of Göttingen and Salento challenges the conventional notion that market economies are a modern innovation. By examining Bronze Age Europe, researchers uncovered evidence suggesting that the fundamentals of market economics have been a part of human behavior for millennia.
The researchers analyzed over 20,000 metal objects from more than 1,000 sites across Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, and Germany. These objects, buried between approximately 2300 B.C. and 800 B.C., revealed intriguing patterns. The study found that by around 1500 B.C., these metal items were intentionally fragmented into pieces weighing roughly 10 grams, a unit of weight that was consistent across Europe. This uniformity suggests that these fragments were used as a form of currency, indicating an early form of monetary economy.
The analysis did not stop at physical evidence. The researchers compared the distribution of daily household expenditures in prehistoric Europe with those in modern Western economies. Surprisingly, they found striking similarities. In both ancient and modern contexts, small daily expenses constituted the majority of spending, while larger expenditures were less frequent. This distribution reflects a sophisticated understanding of economic principles, where supply and demand dictated market dynamics, much like today.
The implications of this study are profound. Traditionally, prehistoric economies have been viewed as primitive systems based on barter and gift exchange, with market economies emerging as societies became more “advanced”. However, this research suggests that a market economy existed long before formalized currency or state structures. According to Dr. Nicola Ialongo from the University of Göttingen, We are used to seeing the market economy as a product of modernity, as an innovation that transformed people’s lives and thinking immediately after its appearance. Yet, the study’s findings propose that market economy behaviors might be innate to human society, akin to marriage or warfare.
Dr. Giancarlo Lago of the University of Salento further emphasizes the study’s challenge to entrenched views in archaeology, economics, and anthropology. The findings suggest that the distinctions between so-called “primitive” societies and modern Western cultures may be less pronounced than previously thought. This research not only redefines our understanding of prehistoric economic systems but also offers insights into the inherent nature of human economic behavior.
The idea that market economies might have always existed raises fascinating questions about human nature and societal development. If market principles have been a part of human society for thousands of years, it suggests that economic behaviors are deeply rooted in our history and possibly our biology. This perspective aligns with the notion that certain behaviors, such as trade and economic exchange, are fundamental aspects of being human.
The study conducted by the universities of Göttingen and Salento provides compelling evidence that market economies have ancient origins. This challenges the traditional view of economic evolution and suggests that market systems may be a fundamental part of human society. As Dr. Ialongo and Dr. Lago highlight, the similarities between prehistoric and modern economic behavior indicate that many cultural differences we perceive might be less significant than assumed.
SOURCES
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Ialongo, N., Lago, G. Consumption patterns in prehistoric Europe are consistent with modern economic behaviour. Nat Hum Behav (2024). doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01926-4
- Share this article:
Discover more from LBV Magazine English Edition
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
How Björn, the son of Ragnar, attacked Seville and other places in the Iberian Peninsula in his expedition to the Mediterranean
In the popular TV series Vikings, it’s Ivar the Boneless who perhaps steals the spotlight with his peculiar personality, reminiscent of the classic – and stereotypical – image of Caligula…
Charles Joughin, the Titanic’s Baker Who Was the Last One to Leave the Ship and Said He Survived by Being Drunk
In James Cameron’s film Titanic, there’s a deleted scene where a crew member, played by Irish actor Liam Touhy, is seen, bottle in hand and half drunk, tossing deck chairs…
The Oldest Carpet in the World, Found in an Iron Age Tomb
It is reasonable to deduce that in the successive phases of prehistory, humans, in their effort to create a warmer environment, used animal skins to cover the floors of the…
The Mysterious Engravings of the Fugoppe Cave in Hokkaido, One of Only Two Sites with Ancient Petroglyphs in Japan
Located in the small fishing town of Yoichi, on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, is Fugoppe Cave, an archaeological site that contains over 800 petroglyphs carved into its walls, making…
Coroebus of Elis, the Baker Who Won the First Race of the Olympic Games
Every story has a beginning, and so does that of the Ancient Olympic Games, of course. In this case, it all started with Coroebus, a baker from the city of…
The Spread of Ideas Thanks to the Printing Press Boosted the Witch Hunt in Central Europe
A recent historical study, published in the journal Theory and Society, seeks to explain one of the darkest and most enigmatic episodes of early modern Europe: the great witch hunt.…
War Chariots Found in Royal Tombs Are the Oldest Discovered in India and Are Over 4,000 Years Old
The discovery of royal tombs and war chariots in Sinauli, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, in 2018 revolutionized archaeological knowledge about the ancient cultures of the region. The…
A sealed Iron Age sarcophagus found by archaeologists in Italy, and inside is a perfectly preserved skeleton
The Bisenzio Project, an international and transdisciplinary initiative led by Andrea Babbi, a researcher at CNR ISPC (Italy’s National Research Council, Institute of Cultural Heritage Sciences), and a long-time collaborator…
Recovery of the 5th-Century BC Greek Ship from the Seabed off Sicily, Where the Mythical Metal “Orichalcum” Was Found Begins
The official recovery operations of the Greek ship from the classical era, known as “Gela II”, have begun. This significant discovery, dating back to the 5th century BC, is located…
Archaeologists excavated 50 feet under Egypt’s largest non-royal tomb and found Idi’s double sarcophagus
The joint Egyptian-German archaeological mission between the universities of Sohag and Berlin recently discovered the funerary chamber of a woman named “Idi”, who was the only daughter of the governor…
A 5000-Year-Old Paved Cellar Found in Denmark Reveals the Existence of Complex Underground Structures in Prehistory
A team of archaeologists led by Marie Brinch from the Lolland-Falster Museum has unearthed the remains of what appears to be a stone-paved cellar, meticulously constructed around 5000 years ago…
A Treasure of Bronze and Iron Objects Hidden During the Attack That Destroyed a Prehistoric Village, Found in Hungary
This summer, the excavation project in northwest Bükk, Hungary, continued, led by a university team specializing in the Bronze and Iron Ages. The research, involving students and local volunteers, focuses…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.