III. Weights And Measures

I. Weights

1 shekel = 180 šê.

1 mina = 60 shekels.

1 talent = 60 minas.

The weight of the mina may be reckoned in round numbers as 500 grams.

II. Measures Of Capacity

Early Scale

1 GIN = 180 šê (?).

1 ḲA = 60 GIN.

1 GUR = 300 ḲA.

Later Scale

1 GUR = 180 ḲA.

III. Measures Of Length

1 ell (U) = 60 ubanu.

1 ḳânu = 6 ells.

1 GAR = 2 ḳânu.

1 KASBU = 1,800 GAR.

On other measures see A. D. D., ii., pp. 197-218. The ell is about half a metre.

IV. Measures Of Surface

1 GIN = 180 šê.

1 SAR = 60 GIN.

1 GAN = 1,800 SAR.

The area of the SAR was one GAR square, or 6 metres square. Areas were also measured by the amount of corn required to sow them, or their average yield, that is by the GUR and ḲA.

V. Measures Of Time

1 day = 12 double hours.

1 month = 30 days, average.

1 year = 12 months, average.

Further details may be obtained from Zimmern's Das Princip unserer Zeit-und Raumteilung, in the Berichten d. philolog. histor. Classe d. Königl. Sächs. Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig. November 14, 1901.