The Journey of Humankind: How Money Made Us Modern

Civilization existed before money, but probably wouldn’t have gotten very far without it.

" Origins: The Journey of Humankind" airs tonight at 9/8c on National Geographic channel.

About 9,500 years ago in the Mesopotamian region of Sumer, ancient accountants kept track of farmers’ crops and livestock by stacking small pieces of baked clay, almost like the tokens used in board games today. One piece might signify a bushel of grain, while another with a different shape might represent a farm animal or a jar of olive oil. (See the face of a 9,500-year-old man).

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