The Indus Civilization c8.26

c8.26

Stone weights are extremely common, and are almost invariably made of carefully polished, and sometimes veined, chert (Pl. K, 2). The cube is by far the most usual form, and weights of this type have been found ranging from minute specimens to those weighing as much as 274.938 grammes. Spherical weights with a flat top and base come next in popularity, and of these, too, quite large sizes have come to light; a third kind is the barrel-shaped weight which is not unlike those that have been found in Egypt, Sumer, and Elam. Some weights of exceptional size—one being over twenty-five pounds—are conical, and have two converging holes in the top for the ring of metal or rope by which they were lifted.