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Trade and Ships
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The Egyptians did not use money. They paid taxes in the form of goods. All trade was barter, which means swapping one kind of goods for another. Wood from Lebanon was paid for in corn and wine, for instance.
Boats of all kinds crowded the Nile. People crossed the river by ferry, while barges carried heavy cargoes. Stones for the pyramids were transported on giant rafts, which could carry 500 tons. Boats going north were helped by the current. Going south, they usually had the wind behind them.
(A) MERCHANT SHIP
Small boats were made of bundles of reeds tied together. Larger ships were built of wood. This one sailed through the dangerous Red Sea.
(B) CARGO
Ships had no deck, except for short sections at each end, and the crew stowed cargo in the open hold. The ship had oars and one large sail.
(C) THE LAND OF PUNT
Ships that sailed to Punt were carried across the desert in pieces and built on the shore of the Red Sea. Punt was probably in eastern Africa, but nobody knows exactly where.
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Previous:
Back
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Book:
The Egyptians
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Section:
Ancient Egypt
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Chapter:
Trade and Ships
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