Roundtable comments

Abstract

The papers at this conference have replaced simplicity with complexity and, although we may quibble about the use of the term «elegance», scholars have demonstrated «creative developments» that do not fit neatly with received wisdom. As with the recent scientific discourse about evolution, one species does not merely replace another, but often exists alongside it until the newer, better adapted one eventually emerges. Even with regard to alternative currencies we have seen wide variation: from local exchange in utensils and animals, to international exchange in cloth, to use of bills of exchange in payment as well as labor itself as payment