Wealth Throughout History

Stone Age

• Wealth measured by resources and survival capabilities
  • Essential resources: food, tools, shelter, clothing
  • Materials: wood, animal pelts, organic materials
• Key skills: hunting, gathering, tool making
• Social bonds and alliances vital for resource access and security
• Comfort in the Stone Age:
  • Cozy cave for shelter
  • Animal pelts for clothing
  • Flint and obsidian tools
  • Strong social group
• Presence of early trade and resource management
  • No coinage, wealth was practical resources

Bronze Age

• Time period: 3300 BC - 1200 BC
• Significant for bronze production (alloy of tin and copper)
• Wealth associated with control and production of bronze
• Trade became prominent with early economies forming
  • Strong trade networks essential for wealth
• Wealth indicators:
  • Agricultural land, livestock, social status
  • Knowledge in crafting tools/weapons
  • Prime real estate and irrigation systems
• Early currencies: grain, clay tokens, silver, gold

Iron Age

• Technological advancement despite setbacks at the end of Bronze Age
• Wealth tied to possession and production of iron
• Key similarities to Bronze Age:
  • Control of iron deposits, forges
  • Military strength, trade advantages
  • Fertile land, livestock
• No formal coinage, wealth in gold, land, livestock

Medieval Era (Dark Ages/Middle Ages)

• Time period: 476 AD - 1400 AD
• Wealth more centralized around monarchy and social connections
• Rich societal members: royalty, nobility, merchants
• Indicators of wealth:
  • Control of land, luxury goods, proximity to monarchs
  • Castles, fully staffed estates, large farms
  • Education opportunities for the wealthy
• Life of the wealthy included luxury, servants, and entertainment
• Health issues like disease and famine affected all classes

Early Modern Era

• Time period: 1500 AD - 1800 AD
• Wealth driven by exploration, trade, colonization
• Creation of vast fortunes through new trade routes and resources
• Flourishing global trade of goods: spices, textiles, precious metals
• Rise of capitalism, joint stock companies
• Wealth creation shifts to commerce, finance, manufacturing
• Indicators of wealth:
  • Bigger houses, more money and connections
  • Greater security, luxury goods
• Adventurous wealthy engaged in exploration with high risks and rewards

Modern Era

• Time period: 1800 AD to present
• Wealth associated with industrialization, innovation, finance
• Industrial Revolution created vast fortunes through factories, mines, railways
• Modern wealth: investments in technology, real estate, financial markets
• Entrepreneurs and innovators achieve significant wealth
• Education and knowledge became critical assets
• Globalization and digital technologies expanded opportunities
• Modern wealth indicators:
  • Investment portfolios, real estate
  • Freedom of time and location
• Wealth seen as more accessible due to decentralized opportunities

---

Note: The content covers a broad timeline and assumes historical generalizations. For detailed accuracy, further study may be required.