Why was trade so important in ancient Sumer? In Ancient Sumer, they couldn't grow or make everything. So they would trade with other places for the thing that they needed.

One thing they used was a clay ball. A clay ball, say if you order 6 pieces of jewelry you would put 6 tokens into the clay ball and once they were delivered. Then you would open the clay ball and count the token to see if everything has arrived.

They traded textiles, leather goods, semi-precious stones, copper, pearls, ivory and ivory carving, basketry, devotional figurines, grains, cooking oils, dates, and flax. They traded by foot, donkey, cart, and boat. The cart was most commonly used.

Trade was important back then in Ancient Sumer because it was the only way to get something that you needed. After all, there was no grocery.