[The Kingdom of Kush: A proper introduction [Illustrated]]

On 28/11/2021 at 7:13 AM, Sundiata said:

They used something called "Deben", which is a weight unit used for anything from gold, silver and copper, to grains. Basically, specific weights of gold, silver, copper, grains and probably a bunch of other stuff had specific values. So they didn't need coin. And in a time when people had more time, barter isn't so bad anyway. It "democratizes" trade. Also, Kush just wasn't a monetary society but a theocratic one where loyal subjects would be "paid" in housing, rations and luxury goods, and tributes were levied on items like cattle, grain, gold and ivory. 

In the Stele of Nastasen, an in-game Hero, we actually find mention of their use of the Deben as a measure for gold, even long after the 25th Dynasty.     

Excerpt from the "Stela of Nastasen from Year 8. Second half of the 4th cent. BC. Berlin Agyptisches Museum 2268. Urk. III.2, 137-152"

"I had many levies go against the rebel country of Mayokue.

It resisted me, the rebel country, at the Sycomore-of-Sarsare

I caused fighting with it.

I caused a great slaughter.

I had its chief, Tamakheyta, seized.

I caused to be plundered all their women, all the domestic animals,

gold: 2000 deben-weight, long-horned oxen: 35,330 (head), livestock: 55,526

all that by which people are sustained."

 

Anyway, random addition to the post:

Some really nice Nubian music from Egyptian Nubians in Aswan, just north of the border with Lower Nubia. This would have also been the northern border of the Kushite state for much of 0AD's timeframe. A place where the lines between Kushite, Lower Nubian and Egyptian become so blurred it's difficult to tell them apart. 

 

Thank you so much!

 

[The Kingdom of Kush: A proper introduction [Illustrated]]

 

Just curious if anyone here knows what the medium of exchange would have been in Nubia/Kush? I get the gist of international trade but as far as domestically, how did Nubians/Kushites trade amongst each other preferably in kerma/Napata/Meroe prior to Christianity? I know there's evidence of Egyptian coins being in circulation in lower Nubia but no evidence of home minted coins. With gold being in abundance, you would think that would be the medium of exchange but I've yet to find evidence to prove this theory. Does anyone have any clue? I just find that bartering might have been inconvenient , especially with how advanced Nubians/Kushites were.