The Evolution of Ancient Egyptian Weights and Measures

Ancient Egypt, renowned for its architectural marvels and cultural advancements, also stands out in history as the birthplace of standardized measurement systems. Dating back to approximately 3100 B.C., the Egyptians introduced the concept of scales to facilitate trade, although they relied on a barter system rather than coined currency. Instead, they assigned values to metals such as gold, silver, and copper, laying the groundwork for a structured economy.

The earliest concrete evidence of standardized units of weight and the use of weighing scales dates to around 2600 B.C. during the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt, particularly evident in artifacts excavated from the reign of Sneferu. These artifacts, including Deben balance weights, provide insight into the precision and sophistication of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship.

Throughout the Old and Middle Kingdom periods, spanning approximately 2025 to 1700 B.C., inscribed weights corroborate the existence of units weighing around 12-14 grams and 27 grams. References to "small and large deben" in accounts from the late Middle Kingdom suggest variations in weight measurement standards. Furthermore, distinctions are made between a gold deben and a copper deben, with the former likely equivalent to 12-14 grams and the latter to 27 grams.

However, during the New Kingdom, significant changes occurred in the measurement system. The deben, which previously equated to approximately 12-14 grams, was now standardized to 91 grams. This adjustment reflects the evolving needs of the society and its economy over time.

For finer measurements, the qedet, equivalent to 1/10 of a deben, and the shematy, equal to 1/12 of a deben, were utilized. These subdivisions allowed for greater precision in commercial transactions and further underscored the meticulous attention to detail evident in ancient Egyptian trade practices.

In conclusion, the ancient Egyptians' development of standardized weights and measures represents a pivotal advancement in human civilization. From the introduction of scales for trade to the refinement of measurement units over successive dynasties, their contributions laid the foundation for modern systems of commerce and quantification.
The Evolution of Ancient Egyptian Weights and Measures

Ancient Weight and Measures

Ancient Weight and Measures
Measurement, fundamental in science, had had its origin in trade and construction. The values of weights and measures in the Ancient East are known either from the actual instruments or from other sources, units of the same name differing considerably in value from place to place.

The oldest known stone weights are from a Sumerian temple at Lagash (about 3000 BC), each inscribed, “1 mana, Dudu High priests,” – in our scale about one ounce.

A later Assyria scale included the shekel, the mana = 60 shekels (about 1.1 lb.), and the talent = 60 mana.

The early Sumerian carpenters used a scale of digits equaling 0.65 inch.

The Babylonian cubit (form-arm) was 20.6 inches in our measure, and was divided into 30 digits.

The higher units were sexagesimal, ending in a parasang, or league, of about 3.5 English miles.

The Egyptian used decimal systems of weights and measures. The largest unit of weight, for measuring wheat, was about two pounds.

The cubit of the Pyramid Age, nearly the same length as the Babylonian cubit, was divided into hundredths.

But apparently for the convenience of workmen, the scale was usually marked also approximately into 7 palms, a palm being 4 digits.

The two systems were incommensurate, like our yard and meter.
Ancient Weight and Measures