Mesopotamia had a subsistence-based economy (an economy where the people decide what to grow/produce) based on farming. However, they relied on trade and barter for many finished goods and natural resources. They used the barter system as coins had not been introduced yet.
Goods Available in Mesopotamia:
1 Grain (wheat, barley)
2 Dates
3 Vegetables (onions, garlic, lentils)
4 Textiles (wool, linen)
5 Pottery
6 Livestock (sheep, goats, cattle)
7 Fish
8 Precious stones (lapis lazuli, carnelian)
9 Timber
10 Reed for thatching and mats
Goods Needed in Mesopotamia:
1 Metals (copper, tin)
2 Gemstones (agate, jasper)
3 Timber (for construction)
4 Oils (olive oil)
5 Salt
6 Stone (for building)
7 Semi-precious stones (turquoise, amethyst)
8 Gold and silver
9 Ivory
10 Dyes (purple dye)
Example:
Goods Available in Mesopotamia: Grain (wheat, barley)
Goods Needed in Mesopotamia: Metals (copper, tin)