Ancient Egypt had some really fascinating ways of trading and handling their economy. Over time, their methods changed a lot, especially when it came to using money and trading things.

1. Barter System: In the beginning, people in Ancient Egypt mostly traded by barter.
   This means they swapped goods directly without using any money.
   Some common items they traded were:

   • Grain
   • Papyrus (a kind of paper made from plants)
   • Linen (a type of cloth)
   • Tools

2. Emergence of Currency: Then, during a time called the Middle Kingdom (around 2055–1650 BCE), the Egyptians wanted a better way to trade.
   So, they started using:

   • Silver and gold to show value.
   • Something called commodity money. This means they used goods like grain to represent value when trading.

3. Trade Routes: By around 1500 BCE, they developed trade routes that reached far and wide.
   These routes included places like Nubia, the Levant, and the Mediterranean Sea.
   This made it easier for people to trade special items like:

   • Gold, which was very valuable for making jewelry.
   • Incense, which makes things smell nice.
   • Exotic animals, which were rare and special.

4. Standardization: To make trading fair and simple, Egyptians set rules for weights and measures.
   For example, a common weight for gold was about 9.1 grams.
   This was a standard amount used in trading.

Overall, moving from a barter system to using money helped Ancient Egypt's economy grow.
It also made it easier for them to trade with other regions!