ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the economic and political information available from the study of Indus weights, followed by a summary of the published data on their calculated values, physical characteristics, and likely functions. It examines the issue of Indus unity and regional diversity and applies the information available from the weights. The weight systems of the Indus Civilization have seen surprisingly little study given the central nature of these small artifacts for knowledge of possible Indus economic and administrative systems. There is very strong evidence for standardization of the pan-Indus weight system across the Indus Civilization using a variety of indicators. The strong standardization of the pan-Indus cubical chert weight system does support some form of pan-Indus authority. A strongly standardized pan-Indus weight system might be the result of a strong control of standards for economic purposes by some group participating in or controlling trade.
