Work

From money to commodity: comparative case studies in demonetization

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Archaeological studies of money typically focus on its initial emergence and mature development. This study examines the denouement of a commodity money and the economic, social, and political implications of the transition from a money to a commodity role. Previous studies of money emphasize that it is socially constructed, shapes markets, and is historically contingent. Geographic and chronological variability of money systems is well supported archaeologically. This paper examines archaeologically observable evidence of two case studies: (1) marale copper ingots in Southern Africa and (2) cacao in Mesoamerica. Despite chronological and geographic variability in the nature and uses of money, these case studies indicate important common trends in demonetization that are attempts to usurp the political, fiscal, and social power of money.

Source: World Archaeology

DOI: 10.1080/00438243.2025.2462286

Authors: Kathryn Sampeck, Shadreck Chirikure

Institutions: Illinois State University, University of Reading, University of Cape Town, University of Oxford

Language: English

Topic: Cross-Cultural and Social Analysis

Subfield: Anthropology

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: National Science Foundation, Social Science Research Council, Wenner-Gren Foundation, Council for International Exchange of Scholars, John Carter Brown Library, Brown University, Brown University, British Academy, University of Oxford, National Research Foundation

OpenAlex ID: W4408397870

FWCI:

Cites: 73

Cited by:

Related to: 10