Hi everybody,

In ancient civilizations, units of weight were fundamental for trade, commerce, and various forms of administration, including taxation and legal transactions. Different cultures developed their own units based on local needs, materials, and standards, which were influenced by their geographical, economic, and cultural contexts. Here’s an expansive look at some of the weight units used in key ancient civilizations, explained in a clear, everyday English style.

Ancient Egypt

Deben
The deben was a common unit of weight in Ancient Egypt, used from the Old Kingdom onward. It approximately weighed about 90 grams (equivalent to 3.2 ounces). Deben was not a physical weight itself but a unit used to measure items like gold and copper. Goods were priced based on how many deben they weighed.

Kite
Lesser known than the deben, the kite was equivalent to about 10 grams. It was often used for smaller or more precious items, requiring more precise measurements.

Mesopotamia

Shekel
The shekel originated as a unit of weight in Sumer and was used throughout Mesopotamia. One shekel typically weighed about 8.33 grams and was crucial for the trade of goods and the valuation of metals like silver and gold.

Mina
The mina was used as a larger unit of weight, equivalent to 60 shekels. This unit was significant in the administration and trade contexts, particularly when dealing with bulk goods.

Ancient Greece

Drachma
Originally a weight and a currency, the drachma was used widely across Greece. As a weight, it was approximately 4.37 grams and was particularly used for silver coins and small commodities.

Talent
The talent was a larger unit of weight used in Greece and also by other civilizations influenced by Greek culture. One talent was typically about 26 kilograms and was used for measuring heavier quantities, especially in bulk trade and state transactions.

Ancient Rome

Libra
The Roman pound, or libra, which is the precursor to the modern pound, weighed about 327 grams. It was widely used in the Roman Empire for commercial and military provisioning.

Uncia
A smaller unit, the uncia was one-twelfth of a libra, roughly equivalent to 27.3 grams. It was significant for transactions requiring more precision and was also the basis of the Roman monetary system.

Indus Valley Civilization

Standard Weights
The people of the Indus Valley Civilization used a complex system of weights, with units based on a binary system (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.), as well as decimal multiples like 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 units. These weights were used for trade and possibly for taxation purposes. The smallest weight was approximately 0.85 grams, indicating a sophisticated understanding of trade and economic regulations.

China

Jin
In ancient China, the jin (斤), which later became known as the catty in English, was a fundamental unit of weight. It varied over time and place but was generally around 500 grams in the later periods of imperial China. The jin was essential for market transactions and state taxation.

Liang
Known as the tael in English, the liang was another crucial weight unit, about one-sixteenth of a jin. It was often used in the trade of precious items like silk and spices.

The development of weight units across ancient civilizations was not only a reflection of their advanced understanding of trade and economics but also an indicator of their administrative capabilities and societal needs. These units facilitated efficient and fair trade, both locally and internationally, enabling these civilizations to flourish economically and culturally.

Based on the questions you have asked us, we have attempted to discuss the topic of weight measurement and scales both socially and technically. Weight measurement has undoubtedly been one of the most important topics in known history. Throughout our lives, we are all involved in weight measurement in production, consumption, trade, art, sports, etc.

General Questions:

++ Weight standards

- What's the difference between mass and weight, and their measurement methods? 
- How does gravity's acceleration affect an object's weight on different planets? 
- What are the uses and accuracy factors of precision scales and balances in weight measurement? 
- How does weight measurement help determine an object's density? 
- How is an object's apparent weight underwater calculated and related to its actual weight? 

Industrial Automation and Production:

- How is weight measurement and control integrated into industrial production, and its impact on efficiency? 
- What role do automatic weight control systems play in quality control, and how do they improve product quality? 
- How are weight sensors selected and configured in industrial automation, and their accuracy evaluated? 
- What are the latest developments in weight measurement technologies for industrial automation? 
- What software and tools are used for weight data analysis in industrial automation, and their impact on workflow? 

For the General Public:

- How can I test the accuracy of home kitchen scales? 
- Which bathroom scale is best for tracking body weight, and what are the differences between models? 
- How can I accurately measure luggage weight for travel and comply with airline limits? 
- What type of kitchen scale should I use for measuring food portion sizes for healthy eating? 
- How can I determine if my children are at a healthy weight, and what methods should I use? 

Historical

- Archimedes and "Eureka!
- What instruments were used for weight measurement in ancient times?  
- What were the units of weight in ancient civilizations?  
- How important was weight measurement in trade in ancient societies?  
- How did the first scales for measuring weight work in ancient times?  
- How were standards for weight measurement established in ancient times?  
- What were some significant discoveries related to weight measurement in ancient history?  
- What methods were used to prevent fraud in weight measurement in ancient times?  
- What events can be considered turning points in the history of weight measurement?  
- How were weight measurement units compared between different cultures in ancient times?  
- What are some written sources about weight measurement in ancient history?  

++ Weight measuring devices homepage 

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