We have coded a total of 1,209 different values for 11 variables in 178 polities.
This section of the database is dedicated to examining the production, provenance, and consumption of luxury items and goods across different strata of society. The data captures a wide array of luxury items such as precious metals, luxury fabrics, manufactured goods, spices, incense, and dyes, luxury drinks/alcohol, glass goods, fine ceramic wares, precious stones, statuary, and luxury food. These variables highlight the intersection of economy, culture, and social hierarchy.
For each type of luxury good, the database includes:
  • The place of provenance, providing insight into trade routes and local production areas.
  • The consumption patterns among different societal groups, including: Rulers / Elites / Common people
Range Present Partially coded Transitional Absent Suspected Unknown Unknown Uncoded To Be Coded
Precious Metal A/P/U/~   
 162 coded records
Luxury Fabrics A/P/U/~   
 156 coded records
 140 coded records
 117 coded records
 114 coded records
 99 coded records
 110 coded records
Precious Stone A/P/U/~   
 123 coded records
Statuary A/P/U/~   
 83 coded records
Luxury Food A/P/U/~   
 103 coded records
 2 coded records