TRADE AND TRADERS OF MESOPOTAMIAN UR

Abstract

Traders from the ancient Sumerian city of Ur traveled by donkey caravan, river barges, and seagoing ships to all parts of the Fertile Crescent, Persia, Tilmun, Magan, and Melukka. They imported copper, precious stones and woods, and ivory and exported woolen clothing and cloth, barley, and locally grown foodstuffs. These Sumerian damkara traded for the palace, temple, other merchants, and on their own account. The activities performed by the Ur traders established a model that spread throughout the civilized world and on into modern times.