Anthony Fellows

12/8/15
ANTH-1030

Testing Graebur
In looking at the video feed of the first astronaut setting foot on the
moon, it can be daunting to think of how far the human race has come,
especially in comparing it with the beginning of human origins. The fact is all
things came from a beginning. Bands of hunters and gatherers to tribes,
tribes to clans, clans to chieftains, and chieftans to states. Archeology allows
for the uncovering of the sites that has risen from these beginnings.
Needless to say, things such as language, writing, and currency now play a
critical role in todays society. These of course must have begun somewhere
as well. A man by the name of David Graebur has published a book
elaborating upon the concept of how currency has evolved from debt, and
many of the things in our society today. The question is, do his uncoverings
match and align with these ancient states and societies?
Conducive to the formation of a civilization, is a river. Rivers provide a
source of water, thus intern providing agriculture, leading to livestock, and so
forth. Just off of the Indus River, the Harappan civilization began in the Indus
Valley. The abundant river provided a life source for these people and a
means for establishment. Due to the dependable flooding of this river, it
became effective for the inhabitants to develop a system to keep track of the
flooding. Modern archeology has found this as the early form of a calendar,
Egypt being among the first to have done so in connection with the stars.
With the colonizing of the city, drainage systems have even been found,

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ANTH-1030

making this a unique civilization for its time period. Furthermore, items for
trading have been uncovered as well, tablets possibly in exchange for other
tablets. These things point to this city being a self-sustainable, and well
established city. It should be noted that few signs of government and
significant monuments have been found, other than a Great Bath. Through
continuation of time, the city ceased, and the inhabitation as well. Little is
still known today as to the cause of the Indus Valleys downfall. However, few
signs of violence have been found among them. This leads to the Theory of
Graebur.
Graeburs perspective relies heavily on the idea of debt, thus intern
causing violence amongst inhabitants, and creating a sort of currency. To
paint a picture, think of a farmer in need of a specific supply. Suppose he
finds a man with that supply, and asks for it. The man who has that supply
gives it to the farmer. The farmer is now in the others debt, and is entitled to
repay it. What ultimately happens if he fails to repay the debt is unfairness.
With unfairness brings a need for justice, which enters in violence.
Something must be done to repay the debt. Graebur illustrates early
examples of this repayment by the taking away of the farmers family
members. In another perspective, the farmer may be living upon the
governments land, being in their debt. He will be forced to pay the debt they
ask, in return for the soldiers protection. If the debt is unpaid, violence is
used to claim whatsoever the government sees fit. The farmer recognized

Anthony Fellows
12/8/15
ANTH-1030

these threats, and begins seeking a trade for the substance or requirement
of the lender in whom he is indebted to. If he finds this substance he needs
to pay the debt from the trade, he is no longer in debt, and has paid his pay
out. In this system, comes the emergence of currency. However, the Indus
Valley civilization has shown evidence of trade with Mesopotamia, this being
done with the overseeing of the government as well. However, the
participants and ranks of the government hierarchy system are unknown.
Bringing back to the idea of the unknown cause of the Indus Valleys ceasing,
still little to no proof has been found by archeologists indicating violence was
a factor.
There is one civilization that very closely follows the idea of Graebur
however. They are known as the Inca Empire. The Incas can be deemed
religious for their belief in a God(s). Michael Chazan explains The Inca
engaged in constant military campaigns to maintain and expand their
empire. (World Prehistory and Archeology, 2014) This shows strong
connection to Graeburs theory, in the sense that the Incas may have
attempted to expand their empire by conquering cities, forcing them to use
and conform to their debt system leading to a currency system, and
eventually inflicting violence to enforce such. Furthermore, in connection
with their strong belief in a God, the notion of being in debt to such was
common. They believed the way to Fulfill the debt was to present an offering
to the God, which was done by the shedding of the blood of a sacrificial

Anthony Fellows
12/8/15
ANTH-1030

victim. This depicts a clear representation of a unique form of currency by

fulfilling the debt, and violence involved at the same time.
With the help of archeological evidences and recent findings, Graebur
produced what some believe to be an accurate theory providing answers for
the unanswered. However, his theory is still opposed and rejected today, not
being accepted by all. In retrospect, his perspective can bring new light and
possible further understanding to how a civilization can develop. Multiple
civilizations are able to provide and back evidence as to how that evolution
takes place, and goes forth. In future years archeology may uncover new
evidences for the these states rise, and more of their ways.. Until that day
and if that day does arrive, Graebur has provided current knowledge for the
time being.
Citation Page
Chazan, Michael. World Prehistory and Archeology, New Jersey, 2008.
2014. Print.