Its closeness to multiple bodies of water made Mesopotamia an ideal location for trade. Traveling often by boat, Mesopotamian traders exchanged dried fish, timber, copper, and tin for goods found in distant lands. The rich natural goods found on this soil, made Mesopotamia a valuable partner in trade. Archaeological discoveries have made knowledge about Mesopotamia possible. Much of what is known about this ancient civilization was discovered on artifacts that have been excavated. These images provide researchers with vital information about daily life.