DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1118#0301
DISK-SHAPED WEIGHTS 653
were considerable deposits of these in its Treasuries is itself made evident by
the recurrence of the ingot signs on the clay tablets of Class B (Fig. 037).
The similar ingots borne by the tribute-bearing chieftains of Keftiu as
depicted in the Tomb of Rekhmara have already received illustration.1
Tt is clear, indeed, that this form of ino-ot, with its sides incurved to Similar
. ■ ingot
facilitate porterage, had a widespread currency in the Ancient World beyond borne by
the sphere of Minoan enterprise. The large hoard of these found at Serra ™0™ys
Ilixi in Sardinia with inscribed signs had possibly a Cretan connexion, and Kdtiu.
those found in Cyprus still come within the Minoan range. But they are
also seen borne as tribute by Syrians and Nubians. The material of one
of the Hagia Triada specimens analysed by Professor Mosso was nearly
99 per cent, pure copper.
From the repeated cancellation on the ' Chariot Tablets', illustrated
below, of the 'cuirass', as part of knight's equipment, and the substitution
of the ' ingot' sign,2 it would appear that a copper talent was regarded as
its proper equivalent.
Disk-shaped Weights from Knossos: of Egyptian Gold Standard.
Numerous examples of smaller weights were discovered belonging" to Latepala-
the late palatial period. The typical shape was a disk, with sides in some shaped
cases slightly rounded off, and the materials were dark steatite, limestone, we'ghts-
alabaster and, occasionally, lead. In many cases these were engraved
with circular signs of numeration, and it has thus been possible to place
together a consecutive series as shown in Fig. G38.
The larger of these, Fig. 638, a, of black steatite, found with a late Num-
Palatial lamp of the same material, N.E. of the Palace, is exceptionally graduated
marked with two larger circles, which, as the decimal system was in vogue, senes .
& J o ' answering
may in each case stand for ten of the units, represented here by four of the to Egyp-
tian units.
ordinary small circles %q0- It would therefore be equivalent to 24 units.
The weight, as corrected to its full original volume,3 scales 1,567-47 grammes.
Its diameter is 11-5 cm. and height 6-5.
1 P. of il/., ii, Pt. II, p. 740, Fig. 473 c,f. plaster cast is then made up to reproduce its
2 See below, p. 805 and Fig. 784 original contour and the weight of this restored
In order to recover the original weight of cast taken. The whole calculation is thus
chipped or partially defective weights I have reduced to a simple proportion sum. As the
resorted to a simple process. A cast of the imperfect plaster weight is to the perfect so is
■uiperfect weight is first made in plaster of the defective stone (or metal) weight to the
Paris and the weight of this taken. The same in its original condition.
were considerable deposits of these in its Treasuries is itself made evident by
the recurrence of the ingot signs on the clay tablets of Class B (Fig. 037).
The similar ingots borne by the tribute-bearing chieftains of Keftiu as
depicted in the Tomb of Rekhmara have already received illustration.1
Tt is clear, indeed, that this form of ino-ot, with its sides incurved to Similar
. ■ ingot
facilitate porterage, had a widespread currency in the Ancient World beyond borne by
the sphere of Minoan enterprise. The large hoard of these found at Serra ™0™ys
Ilixi in Sardinia with inscribed signs had possibly a Cretan connexion, and Kdtiu.
those found in Cyprus still come within the Minoan range. But they are
also seen borne as tribute by Syrians and Nubians. The material of one
of the Hagia Triada specimens analysed by Professor Mosso was nearly
99 per cent, pure copper.
From the repeated cancellation on the ' Chariot Tablets', illustrated
below, of the 'cuirass', as part of knight's equipment, and the substitution
of the ' ingot' sign,2 it would appear that a copper talent was regarded as
its proper equivalent.
Disk-shaped Weights from Knossos: of Egyptian Gold Standard.
Numerous examples of smaller weights were discovered belonging" to Latepala-
the late palatial period. The typical shape was a disk, with sides in some shaped
cases slightly rounded off, and the materials were dark steatite, limestone, we'ghts-
alabaster and, occasionally, lead. In many cases these were engraved
with circular signs of numeration, and it has thus been possible to place
together a consecutive series as shown in Fig. G38.
The larger of these, Fig. 638, a, of black steatite, found with a late Num-
Palatial lamp of the same material, N.E. of the Palace, is exceptionally graduated
marked with two larger circles, which, as the decimal system was in vogue, senes .
& J o ' answering
may in each case stand for ten of the units, represented here by four of the to Egyp-
tian units.
ordinary small circles %q0- It would therefore be equivalent to 24 units.
The weight, as corrected to its full original volume,3 scales 1,567-47 grammes.
Its diameter is 11-5 cm. and height 6-5.
1 P. of il/., ii, Pt. II, p. 740, Fig. 473 c,f. plaster cast is then made up to reproduce its
2 See below, p. 805 and Fig. 784 original contour and the weight of this restored
In order to recover the original weight of cast taken. The whole calculation is thus
chipped or partially defective weights I have reduced to a simple proportion sum. As the
resorted to a simple process. A cast of the imperfect plaster weight is to the perfect so is
■uiperfect weight is first made in plaster of the defective stone (or metal) weight to the
Paris and the weight of this taken. The same in its original condition.