Anthropology

Judi Lynn

(162,376 posts) Sun Jul 8, 2018, 09:14 PM Jul 2018

ANCIENT MAYANS USED CHOCOLATE FOR MONEY

BY ARISTOS GEORGIOU ON 6/29/18 AT 11:22 AM

The ancient Mayans used cacao beans—the principal ingredient in chocolate—as a currency, according to a study published in the journal Economic Anthropology.

The research suggests that during the Classic Maya period (250-900 CE) cacao was exchanged for goods and services. The Mayans never used coins but are thought to have bartered items such as tobacco, maize and clothing.

Author of the study, Joanne Baron from the Bard Early College Network in New Jersey, said that this period saw the “early monetization of cacao beans and cotton textiles.”

“I argue that these products, originally valued for their use in status display, took on monetary functions within a context of expanding marketplaces among rival Maya kingdoms,” she wrote in the study.

More:
http://www.newsweek.com/ancient-maya-used-chocolate-money-1001513?piano_t=1

2 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

ANCIENT MAYANS USED CHOCOLATE FOR MONEY (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jul 2018 OP

We'll be doing the same if the GOPee get another shot at wrecking the dollar again. sandensea Jul 2018 #1

My only problem with that, or with any other consumable commodity being used as money PoindexterOglethorpe Jul 2018 #2

sandensea

(22,850 posts)

1. We'll be doing the same if the GOPee get another shot at wrecking the dollar again.

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Sun Jul 8, 2018, 10:02 PM

Jul 2018

In all seriousness, that was fascinating Judi. It's amazing how resourceful they were - and still are.

Growing up - and to some extent even in college - we're taught that indigenous peoples were backward, barbarous, and cruel. The Mayas are certainly portrayed in those terms, with textbooks often emphasizing their human sacrifices.

But there was certainly a lot more to them than that, as you know.

Thanks for always keeping us updated in this subject (and so many others!).

PoindexterOglethorpe

(26,727 posts)

2. My only problem with that, or with any other consumable commodity being used as money

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Thu Jul 12, 2018, 12:02 AM

Jul 2018

is that if you consume it, isn't that a bit like burning dollar bills would be today?

Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm as serious a worshiper of chocolate as any out there, but chocolate is to be consumed, not to be used to purchase other things.

Reply to this discussion