If we're discussing the medieval period, what are some resources that would be highly coveted aside from land? Iron? Copper?
Ancient Economics: What Were the Valuable Resources?
- Thread starter Emperor-of-New-Zealand
- Start date
Gold, silver, tin, lead.
Marble. Pearls. Amber. Ivory.
Salt.
Spices of various kinds. Materials to make rare dyes from.
Marble. Pearls. Amber. Ivory.
Salt.
Spices of various kinds. Materials to make rare dyes from.
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Depends on the region as well. A Nordic chieftain might go to great lengths to get wine for his table, while an Italian lord might love to hire some Norse as mercenaries.
Fertile land was at a premium
Food could be traded for other resources and if you had a stable food supply you could devote more of your population to Manufacturing
Food could be traded for other resources and if you had a stable food supply you could devote more of your population to Manufacturing
Ivory, gold, silver, spices, silk, top grade steel.
It was important as fuel as well. England used to export it and charcoal to Flanders. Coal was also valuable. In fact although it was expensive to buy coal from Newcastle in London the price was competitive with charcoal or timber from Kent!
Interesting ideas. Gold and silver seem obvious, and timber is something I hadn't considered.
Saltpeter is another one. Before it became commonly available due to its necessity for gunpowder, it served as a rare, but super-effective cooling agent. Wines at the best Roman parties would be cooled by using Saltpetre. It was produced in large quantities in India since before the Mauryas because of this very reason.
- Snails near Tyre that made purple dye.
- Porcelain.
- Papyrus.
Edit: OP said medieval, I was thinking ancient because I read the thread title.
- Porcelain.
- Papyrus.
Edit: OP said medieval, I was thinking ancient because I read the thread title.
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Slaves were probably Europe's biggest export in the early Middle Ages (circa 700-900 or so).
Just to be clear, are you talking about Medieval Economics or the Economics of Antiquity / the classical World? as medieval isn't exactly in antiquity.
Also, the medieval period lasted for a thousand years, so it also depends on when (and where) you are talking about.
in general slaves sure or serfs you need people to build your castle , plow your field make the food and figth in your army
Medieval as in around 700-1000AD.
I'm more talking about general resources that nations might trade to one another, rather than "big score" type things.