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  EARLY INVENTIONS IN TRAVEL Sumerians  (Babylonians)  were the first to invent money in around 4000 B.C.  Sumerian Bronze  piece is the oldest coin currency that is known. One side of the coin is represented by sheaf of wheat and the other side by Ishtar, the goddess of fertility. The Sumerian called it the “ Shekel ” where “ she ” meant wheat; “ kel”  was a measurement similar to a bushel. Now the word Shekel (also known as the “ Israeli Shekel ”) is the currency of Israel. Sumerians were the first to hold the idea to use the money in business transactions and this led to the development of trade by using money. Sumerians were also the first to invent Cuneiform writing (i.e. one of the earliest forms of writing known) in ancient Mesopotamia in about 3400 B.C. The invention of wheel is also the contribution of Sumerians which helped to build heavy wagons that could be pulled by oxen, ponies or mules. Mesopotamian are believed to have constructed the first ...