Global Commodities: Trade, Exploration and Cultural Exchange This link opens in a new windowGlobal Commodities contains primary materials related to the history of global commodities, trade and transformations of societies. Some features of the collection include the exploration and exploitation of raw materials in Africa, Americas, and Asia since the 15th Century, development of major ports, historical documents on the origins, transportation, consumption and impact of commodities on societies. The collection focuses on fifteen commodities - chocolate, coffee, cotton, fur, oil, opium, porcelain, silver and gold, spices, sugar, tea, timber, tobacco, wheat, and wine and spirits. The database includes data visualizations and interactive maps as well as, art, images, and commodity exhibitions.