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YouTube

The Origins of Money: Bronze Age Central Europe's First Currency System

Dan Davis History via YouTube

Overview

Explore a fascinating historical video investigating the origins of money in Bronze Age Central Europe, challenging the common belief that coinage began in Lydia. Delve into compelling evidence suggesting that small metal bars and rings functioned as currency around 2000-1600 BC, predating Lydian coins by over a millennium. Learn about the Únětice culture's sophisticated metallurgical practices, examine the significance of bronze hoards discovered across Central Europe, and understand the characteristics that defined these early forms of monetary exchange. Through detailed analysis of archaeological findings and scholarly research, discover how these metal objects met the fundamental criteria of money, potentially representing humanity's first standardized medium of exchange.

Syllabus

The First Metal Money in the World
Opera Sponsorship
The Únětice culture
Bronze Hoards
Rib Ingots and Ring Ingots
Bronze Age Copper Ingots
What is Money?
The First Money?
The Origins of Money

Taught by

Dan Davis History

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