Other cultures have evolved different processes, as money functions as an accounting device, once communities grew too large for remembering the network of favors and promises tying the group together.

The Assyrians had clay tablets as reciepts for grain in the commual grainary, that would be traded around.

There was an island in Polynesia, where they would go to this little neighboring island and build ceremonial structures, that would represent value to be traded around.

Michael Hudson is a good source. Here is an interview from a couple years ago;

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2019/04/the-delphic-oracle-was-their-davos-a-four-part-interview-with-michael-hudson-about-his-forthcoming-book-the-collapse-of-antiquity-part-1.html