silent trade

Silent trade, also known as covert or discreet trading, is a historical method where different groups exchanged goods without direct contact or communication. Typically, one group leaves their goods in a designated spot and then departs. The other group later retrieves the items and leaves their own in the same place, indicating a successful exchange. This method allowed trading between groups that might have had different languages, customs, or mistrust, minimizing direct conflict or misunderstanding. Silent trade facilitated commerce across distant or hostile communities, especially before formal markets and communication methods were developed.