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METROLOGICAL TABLE FOR WEIGHT MEASURE SYSTEM M, BASIC UNIT MINA | MS2186

METROLOGICAL TABLE FOR WEIGHT MEASURE SYSTEM M, BASIC UNIT MINA

MS 2186
MS Short Title METROLOGICAL TABLE FOR WEIGHT MEASURE SYSTEM M, BASIC UNIT MINA
Text METROLOGICAL TABLE FOR WEIGHT MEASURE SYSTEM M, BASIC UNIT MINA, FROM '1/2 BARLEY-CORN (CA 22 MG) TO 1 SHEKEL (CA. 8 G)
Description MS in Old Babylonian on clay, probably Larsa, Babylonia, 2000-1700 BC, 1 tablet, 12,3x4,6x3,0 cm, 2 columns, 46 lines in cuneiform script.
Commentary The Old Babylonian weight measure system started with she (grain or barley-corn of ca. 45 mg). There were 180 she to 1 gin (shekel of ca. 8 g), 60 gin to 1 mana (mina of ca. 500 g), and 60 mana to 1 gu (talent of ca. 30 kg). It was mainly used for gold, silver, copper, wool and dates. Silver was the main value indicator, with 1 shekel of silver being the value of 1 gur (300 litres) of barley. This was also the monthly pay for a hired worker.
Published Jöran Friberg: A remarkable Collection of Babylonian Mathematical Texts. Springer 2007. Sources and Studies in the History of Mathematics and Physical Sciences. Manuscripts in the Schøyen Collection, vol. 6, Cuneiform Texts I. pp. 110-112.
Place of origin Babylonia
Dates 2000-1700 BC