Imports

• Timber - Nearly all of Attica's woodland had been destroyed by the 5th century BC. Athens had to rely on imported timber from Macedonia, Thrace and Southern Italy.
• Burnt grain from a Greek pot - The countryside around Athens could not produce enough grain to feed the people of Athens. The city relied on imported grain from countries such as Egypt, Thrace, Sicily and the lands around the Black Sea.
• A fragment of linen cloth - Cloth in Greece was mostly made from wool or linen. Linen was made from imported flax from Egypt. Cotton was known but not very common. From the 5th century BC onwards, silk was starting to appear in Athens.
• An amber bead - Amber was highly valued in the ancient Greek world. The known sources of amber in the ancient world were in Denmark and the Baltics. From here it was transported across Europe to the Black Sea, and then it was shipped to Athens.
• Tin - Tin was exported from modern day France. The Greek colony town of Massalia became a major centre in the trade of tin. Tin was used to make bronze which was important for weapons and tools.
• A pot fragment showing a Thracian slave, employed as a nurse - The slave trade was a thriving business at this time. Many slaves were captive or prisoners from wars and battles. Thrace and the countries around the Black Sea exported a great number of slaves.
• An amphora for transporting wine - Grapes were grown in the Attic countryside. There was certainly no shortage of wine in Athens. However, wine from Thasos and Chios was believed to be much better than the local variety. A great amount of wine was also imported from Rhodes and Knidos. This wine was not as highly prized, but it was very cheap!