Economy

   The Egyptian economy was primarily based on agriculture as the fertility of the soil engendered by the Nile flood allowed a crop surplus to fulfill the population’s basic food needs. The excess crops could be collected, stored, and recirculated. Egypt’s natural resources provided for most mineral needs, in particular control of the gold mines of Nubia.

   Egypt never developed a monetary economy, but a sophisticated barter system was used. Goods were valued in measures of wheat if of low worth, or weights of copper, silver or gold for more highly valued objects. These items would be paid for with goods of a similar value and not usually with the materials used in the valuation. Major imports were normally received as part of state diplomatic relations. These included wood from Lebanon, tin, lapis lazuli, and other luxury goods accepted as tribute when Egypt was strong or reciprocated with such Egyptian products as gold. There is little evidence of a strong merchant class in Egypt, and foreign trade, not on the diplomatic level, appears to have been carried out by foreigners based in their own quarters in Memphisor later in such special areas as Naukratis.

   See also Travel.

Historical Dictionary Of Ancient Egypt by Morris L. Bierbrier