In the early days of human civilisation, long before the concept of money emerged, people relied on bartering and trade to acquire goods and services. This rudimentary form of commerce involved exchanging one item for another based on mutual needs and wants. It was a simple and direct method of conducting transactions, but it had its limitations.
The chapter will explore the challenges and advantages of bartering, such as the need for a double coincidence of wants and the inherent difficulties in valuing goods. Readers will discover how bartering enabled early societies to establish relationships, fostered the growth of communities, and laid the foundation for future payment systems.
Furthermore, we will delve into the evolution of bartering, highlighting the gradual shift from direct exchange to the use of more standardised items as a medium of trade. This transition led to the emergence of early forms of currency, such as shells, beads, and precious metals, which will be discussed in detail in subsequent chapters.
By examining the roots of payments in bartering and trade, readers will gain a profound understanding of how the very concept of value began to shape human interactions. They will witness the ingenuity and resourcefulness of our ancestors as they navigated the complexities of exchange without the convenience of a standardised medium of exchange.
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