
20. Xiaoli Ouyang: Silver in Sumer: money in Mesopotamia?
About this episode
Xiaoli introduces us to silver in the Sumerian city of Umma. She explains where it came from and how people got hold of it. Who was able to use it and what for? She tells us how we might understand whether it could be called money. And explains the physical form in which silver circulated.
5:42 What is money?
8:46 Who used silver?
13:00 How they got silver
16:55 Did silver actually circulate?
22:26 How was value set?
Music by Ruba Hillawi
Website: http://wedgepod.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSM7ZlAAgOXv4fbTDRyrWgw
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @wedge_pod
Patreon: http://Patreon.com/WedgePod
Get every episode summarized
Each time Thin End of the Wedge publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from Thin End of the Wedge

83. David Kertai: The palaces of Assyria
Thin End of the Wedge

82. IAA prize winners 2025
Thin End of the Wedge

81. Lisa Wilhelmi: Bronze Age Diplomacy
Thin End of the Wedge

80. Ea-nasir: everyone's favourite copper merchant
Thin End of the Wedge