ABSTRACT

Weighing of commodities was a standard action often part of official and private exchanges, as is well attested by the abundance of preserved Bronze Age (hereafter, BA) weights in the Aegean. Balance weights are typically studied in relation to the metrological systems they belonged to, and correct identification of the mass-units is of vital importance to these examinations. The analyses presented in this chapter are a step towards statistically valid discussions of the degree of weight standardisation in the BA Aegean and the potential relationships between the Near Eastern, Egyptian and Aegean systems. In general, analyses of the wider networks of exchange and social interactions related to the use of these weights should be preceded by a thorough quantitative investigation of the possible metrological systems; it will be demonstrated that previous studies have only been partially successful in revealing the picture of the weight standards in general use in the Aegean. In the discussion on how the chaîne opératoire concept is relevant to balance weights I will especially address aspects related to the standardisation and detection of metrological standards. 1