• WWW.THEHISTORYBLOG.COM
    1600-year-old iron scale, weights found in Turkey
    An iron scale and weights have been discovered in the ancient city of Uzuncabur in Mersin, southern Turkey. It consists of a scale, still articulated, and five weights in the shape of Greek letters. They date to Late Antiquity (4th-7th centuries A.D.) and are estimated to be around 1,600 years old. Uzuncabur is one of the best preserved ancient cities from the Hellenistic era. Excavations have uncovered planned streets, city gates, monumental fountains, temples and a theater. The scale set was unearthed in the excavation of a the two-columned street that crossed the middle of the ancient city.The remains of numerous shops have been found there, many, if not all, of which would have used weighing scales to determine the value of the commodity being sold. Everyone from butchers to doctors to metalworkers to restaurants to bread bakers and potters charged by weight for raw materials and finished products. The military used them to weigh out rations. Even amphorae, essential transportation vessels for food and drink, were sold by weight to merchants.This type of iron balance scale was widespread in Late Antiquity. The design features a cross-beam with a pivoting hanger at the center point. At each end were plates, one held the commodity, the other the weights.Romans used these scales for trade, to assess taxes and to ensure accurate metal weight in the production of coins. Ancient sources report frequent problems with fraudulent weights. False scales and weights would be destroyed and dishonest merchants fined.Drawing attention to the fact that the scale was found as a complete set, Aydnolu explained: These types of iron balance scales with hanging pans were quite common during Late Antiquity. What is even more interesting is that alongside the scale set, five weights were found. The weights are made in the form of letters from the ancient Greek alphabet. Each weight corresponds to multiples of certain standard weights. At that time, a weight system called litra was used. Our weights range from half a litra up to 5 litras. In modern measurements, this corresponds to roughly between 150 grams and 1.5 kilograms.Aydnolu stated that such examples had not been encountered in previous excavations and emphasized that the weights were labeled using letters.He said: They used symbolism on the weights. It might have been a method employed by local merchants or a commonly used system. We are very happy to have found the first complete set of a measurement system.
    0 Commentarios 0 Acciones 59 Views
  • ALLTHATSINTERESTING.COM
    The Mysterious Death Of Dorothy Hunt, The Wife Of Watergate Mastermind E. Howard Hunt
    Dorothy Hunt died in a plane crash in 1972, and some believe that she was killed because of what she knew about the growing Watergate scandal.The post The Mysterious Death Of Dorothy Hunt, The Wife Of Watergate Mastermind E. Howard Hunt appeared first on All That's Interesting.
    0 Commentarios 0 Acciones 57 Views
  • WWW.ONTHISDAY.COM
    Today in History for 10th July 2025
    Historical Events1924 - Denmark takes Greenland as Norway ends claim1938 - "Yankee Clipper" completes first passenger flight over Atlantic1965 - Beatles' "VI" album goes to number 1 and stays at number 1 for 6 weeks2019 - Taylor Swift named the world's highest paid entertainer by Forbes earning $185 million in 20182023 - Torrential rains across New England and New York cause historic flooding, especially in Vermont's capital Montpellier, affecting two million people and causing one deathMore Historical Events Famous Birthdays1902 - Kurt Alder, German chemist (Nobel 1950), born in Knigshtte, Upper Silesia (d. 1958)1921 - Jean "Jeff" Donnell, American actress (Gidget Goes to Rome, Hoedown, 9 Girls), born in Windham, Maine (d. 1988)1922 - Herb McKenley, Jamaican athlete (Olympic gold 4 x 400m relay 1952; 3 x silver 1948, 52), born in Pleasant Valley, Clarendon, Jamaica (d. 2007)1931 - Nick Adams [Nicholas Aloysius Adamshock], American actor (Johnny Yuma-Rebel), born in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania (d. 1968)1934 - Munir Malik, Pakistani cricket pace bowler (3 Tests, 9 wickets; Karachi, Punjab, Rawalpindi), born in Leiah, Pakistan (d. 2012)More Famous Birthdays Famous Deaths1839 - Fernando Sor, Spanish classical guitarist, and composer (Twelve Studies), dies at 611940 - Donald Francis Tovey, British musicologist and composer, dies at 641985 - Fernando Pereira, military activist, murdered2003 - Hartley Shawcross, British lawyer and politician, prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials, dies at 1012023 - Marga Minco [Sara Menco], Dutch journalist and writer (Bitter Herb), dies at 103More Famous Deaths
    0 Commentarios 0 Acciones 59 Views
  • 0 Commentarios 0 Acciones 57 Views
  • 0 Commentarios 0 Acciones 59 Views
  • 0 Commentarios 0 Acciones 60 Views
  • FR.GAMERSLIVE.FR
    OH NON, ce n'est PAS POUR MOI ! - CAVE CRAVE sur PSVR 2 / PS5 Sortie du jour
    OH NON, ce n'est PAS POUR MOI ! - CAVE CRAVE sur PSVR 2 / PS5 Sortie du jour
    0 Commentarios 0 Acciones 61 Views
  • 0 Commentarios 0 Acciones 59 Views
  • 0 Commentarios 0 Acciones 58 Views
  • 0 Commentarios 0 Acciones 61 Views