The skill of ancient craftsmen is well known due to artefacts that have been discovered during archaeological excavations. Through the study of these artefacts and their distinctive patterns it has been possible to piece together a timeline of the emergence and expansion of the production methods used. By specialising in a particular skill or craft, a man's worth increased exponentially, and the items he produced became far more valuable than the cost of the materials used. This, in turn, guaranteed a livelihood for many.
