7th–14th century SALT BARS

SAUDI ARABIA

Trans-saharan trade linked the Mediterranean economies that demanded gold – and could supply salt to the sub-saharan economies, where gold was abundant. In the 14th century, cowry shells were introduced from the eastern coast as local currency, but gold and salt remained the principal mediums of long-distance trade. The Africans were willing to trade one pound of gold for one pound of salt and vice versa. The Saudis would trade salt bars for gold, cloth, cereal and slaves.