Which ancient civilization pioneered the use of distinctive shop signs with visual symbols (rather than text) to help illiterate customers identify specific merchants and products?

Before modern logos and brand colors, ancient civilizations developed sophisticated visual systems to identify merchants, products, and trading houses. From Phoenician merchant marks to Roman shop signage, visual storytelling in retail spaces has ancient roots. This poll explores how early civilizations used visual elements to communicate brand identity and product authenticity in their marketplaces. Test your knowledge about these fascinating early retail branding practices!

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Ancient Romans, who created elaborate pictorial signs for taverns, pottery shops, and other specialized merchants
Ancient Egyptians, who used hieroglyphic cartouches to mark royal-approved merchant stalls in marketplaces
Ancient Chinese, who developed the first color-coded merchant banners during the Han Dynasty
Ancient Greeks, who mandated that each type of merchant display a specific deity symbol above their shop