How did people trade with each other and pay taxes long ago?

Long ago, people primarily engaged in trade through bartering, exchanging goods and services directly without the use of money. As societies evolved, they began to use various forms of currency, such as coins or precious metals, to facilitate trade. Taxes were often collected in kind, where citizens would provide a portion of their produce or goods to the ruling authority, or in the form of currency, depending on the economic system in place. This system allowed governments to fund public services and maintain order within communities.