What were the three early trading cultures?

- The Olmecs, who built some of the first cities in Mesoamerica, may have been the first merchants.

- Later, the Maya, Incas, and Aztecs would carry on this tradition of trade.

2. Trans-Saharan trade

- This network connected the Middle East and Africa.

- The city of Timbuktu in Mali was a major hub of this trade.

3. Indian Ocean trade

- This network connected the Middle East, India, China, and Southeast Asia.

- The city of Guangzhou in China was a major hub of this trade.