Ancient Egyptian units of measurement

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Error creating thumbnail:
Coudée-turin
Bronze_vessel_used_a_capacity_measure._Inscribed_with_the_cartouches_of_the_birth-name_and_throne_name_of_Amenhotep_III._18th_Dynasty._From_Egypt._The_Petrie_Museum_of_Egyptian_Archaeology,_London
RMP-80
Error creating thumbnail:
Green_glazed_faience_weight,_inscribed_for_the_high_Steward_Aabeni._Late_Middle_Kingdom._From_Abydos,_Egypt._The_Petrie_Museum_of_Egyptian_Archaeology,_London
Error creating thumbnail:
Serpentine_weight_of_10_daric._Inscribed_for_Taharqa_in_the_midst_of_Sais._25th_Dynasty._From_Egypt,_probably_from_Nesaft._The_Petrie_Museum_of_Egyptian_Archaeology,_London

== Ancient Egyptian Units of Measurement ==

Ancient Egyptian units of measurement were used in Ancient Egypt from the Early Dynastic Period to the end of the Ptolemaic Period. These units were essential for various aspects of daily life, including construction, agriculture, and trade. The system was based on a combination of decimal and duodecimal (base-12) systems.

Length[edit | edit source]

The primary unit of length was the cubit, which was subdivided into smaller units. The most common cubit was the royal cubit, which was approximately 52.3 cm (20.6 inches). The royal cubit was divided into 7 palms, and each palm was further divided into 4 fingers, making a total of 28 fingers in a royal cubit.

  • **Cubit (meh)**: The standard unit of length.
  • **Royal cubit (meh nesut)**: A longer cubit used for more precise measurements.
  • **Palm (shesep)**: 1/7 of a royal cubit.
  • **Finger (djeba)**: 1/4 of a palm.

Area[edit | edit source]

The Egyptians used units of area primarily for measuring land. The most common unit was the setat, which was equivalent to a square khet.

  • **Setat**: The primary unit of area, equivalent to a square khet.
  • **Khet**: A unit of length used to define the setat.

Volume[edit | edit source]

Volume measurements were crucial for trade, especially in grains and liquids. The hekat was the primary unit of volume.

  • **Hekat**: The primary unit of volume, used for measuring grains and other dry goods.
  • **Hin**: A smaller unit of volume, often used for liquids.

Weight[edit | edit source]

Weight measurements were essential for trade and commerce. The deben was the primary unit of weight.

  • **Deben**: The primary unit of weight, approximately 91 grams.
  • **Kite**: A smaller unit of weight, 1/10 of a deben.

Time[edit | edit source]

The Egyptians had a sophisticated understanding of time, dividing the day into 24 hours and the year into 12 months.

  • **Hour (sha)**: The basic unit of time, with 24 hours in a day.
  • **Month (abd)**: The basic unit of the calendar, with 12 months in a year.

Related Pages[edit | edit source]


WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD