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** the deben was the primary unit of value | ** the deben was the primary unit of value | ||
*** equivalent to about 90 grams of copper | *** equivalent to about 90 grams of copper | ||
Click EXPAND for description of the value and use of the deben by James C. Thompson: | |||
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* James C. Thompson writes: | |||
<pre>Since seventy-five litters of wheat cost one deben and a pair of sandals also cost one deben, it made perfect sense to the Egyptians that a pair of sandals could be purchased with a bag of wheat as easily as with a chunk of copper. Even if the sandal maker had more than enough wheat, she would happily accept it in payment because it could easily be exchanged for something else. The most common items used to make purchases were wheat, barley, and cooking or lamp oil, but in theory almost anything would do.</pre> Source: [[https://www.ancient.eu/article/997/ancient-egyptian-agriculture/ Ancient Egyptian Agriculture (Ancient History Encyclopedia)]] | |||
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* principal imports: | * principal imports: |