Ancient times have witnessed international trade and the existence of an eminent business tycoon, who would roll in wealth and possess credit cards of various categories. These cards were of vital importance in their respective spheres of influence, for instance, gold card, silver card, platinum card. Cards of relatively lower potential like bronze, ivory and nickel were also considered not short of status symbol in those times of the past. All this brings to mind the outline of a world trade organization with its supportive socio-economic structure at the base.

This hypothesis is built on certain seals with peculiar characteristics. The analysts from amongst their piles and on the basis of specific features and carvings have marked them out. It is also important that these seals possess certain common characteristics although they come from distant parts of the world. Their universal role and homogeneous nature compel experts to concentrate on the point that one way or the other their preparation and distribution was exercised by a single controlling authority which was responsible for their similar mould around the world. Their commercial value and similitude and their discovery in various parts of the world support the theory of the existence of a world trade system that was a pillar of ancient times.

The experts opinion that such an organized body could have been formed on the basis of trade apart from religion, could substantiate the point that only religion could have safeguarded the interests of the mercantile class by sharing up the support of the dogmatists and keeping them at bay from looting the caravans involved in such transportation of the riches. That is why the traders sought the help of the inmates of the monasteries and established such a syndicated organization, which covered every nook and corner of the world and whose stooges were every time busy to lend support to this system and strengthen it so that the traders monopoly is unhindered. It was a situation, which amounted to the mutual interests of the state and the church collaborating with each other.

Viewed in this context, the experts have rightly identified these seals with the credit cards of ancient man and his trade. Their importance was three-fold; first, it was confirmatory, secondly, they were sort of a document and thirdly, they were used as a monetary device. Whenever the caravans would eventually overcome their tortuous routes escaping the grips of the pirates and robbers, the trade representatives would show these seals to each other. This was considered as a gesture of welcome and would confirm the identity of both parties. These seals were later on used as sources of authentication in return for the received goods, a custom that has survived in the Middle East. These seals were finally provided to traders as a token for the promise of the amount that they owed to each other.

Chakrabarti, K. Dilip. The External Trade of Indus Civilization. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal publishers Pvt. Ltd, 1990.

Hawkes, Jacuetta. The World of the Past. New York: Alfred. A. Khopf, 1971.

Jaiazbhoy, A.r. Origin and Spread of Ancient Civilization. Karachi: Menander publications Pakistan, 1982 Rev-ed 1994.

Petreson, A. Frederick. Ancient Mexico. London: Rukin house, George Allen & Unwin Ltd, Museum Street 1959.

Pierfrancesco Callieri with contributions by Elizabeth Errington, Ricardo Garbini, Philippe Gignoux, Nicholas Sims-Williams, Wladimir Zwalf. Seal and Sealing (4th Century BC-11th Century AD). Naples: Istituto University Orientale di Napoli 1997.

Sanders, T. William and Barbra. J. Price. MesoAmerica. The Evolution of Civilization. New York: Random House, 1968.

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