Commerce is a branch of study related to the activities of buying and selling things or the activities involved in it. This word came to existence in 1537, from M. Fr. commerce, from L. commercium "trade, trafficking," from com- "together" + merx (gen. mercis) "merchandise". History of Commerce begain much before this word came into existence in 1537. Some commentators trace the origins of commerce to the very start of communication in prehistoric times. Historical evidence suggests that bartering was the earlist form of commerce in which people used to exchange goods and services with each other. Historian Peter Watson dates the history of long-distance commerce from circa 150,000 years ago. Introduction of currency solved many problems of bartering. It helped commerce to grow at fast pace. This development necessitated another branch of study that we call ((accountancy)).