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.