Final answer:
Trade played a vital role in ancient Sumer, facilitating the exchange of products and resources with distant regions. Sumerians engaged in long-distance trade for goods such as copper, tin, textiles, precious stones, and marine shells. The trade system contributed to the economy, cultural exchange, and the spread of artistic traditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In ancient Sumer, trade played a crucial role in the economy and development of the civilization. Sumerians engaged in long-distance trade with various regions, including Anatolia, the Indus River valley, and even Afghanistan. Some of the products and resources that were part of this trade included valuable goods like copper, tin, textiles, precious stones such as lapis lazuli and carnelian, and marine shells from the Indian Ocean.
Trade allowed the Sumerians to acquire resources that were scarce in their region, such as stone, timber, and metal ores. It also facilitated cultural exchange and the spread of artistic traditions. The Sumerians used a redistributive economic system, where agricultural goods were collected as taxes and redistributed to support urban artisans, merchants, and officials.
The Assyrians, another ancient civilization in Mesopotamia, were known for their trading activities as well. They established merchant colonies in Anatolia and traded products like tin and textiles for silver and gold.