How Did Maya Earn Money? A Look At Her Financial Journey

The ancient Maya didn’t use coins like we do today. Instead, they relied on barter, exchanging goods and services directly. Tobacco, maize, and clothing were some of the common items used in bartering.

Think of it like a trade. Let’s say you have extra corn and your neighbor needs some fabric. You could trade your corn for some fabric. This is a basic example of barter, and it’s how the Maya managed their economic transactions.

Beyond barter, the Maya also developed a complex system of credit and debt. They used cocoa beans as a form of currency. Although not used for everyday transactions, cocoa beans were a valuable commodity used for settling debts and as a form of payment for special services. For example, a farmer might owe a debt to a priest for a religious ceremony. The farmer could repay the debt with cocoa beans.

The Maya also developed a system of taxes that involved the payment of goods and services. These taxes were used to support the government, the religious elite, and the construction of public works.

The Maya economy was based on a complex system of trade, barter, credit, and debt. This system allowed them to sustain a sophisticated civilization for centuries.