1600-year-old iron scale, weight found in Türkiye –

Iron gauge and weight were found in Uzuncaburç, an ancient city in Mersin, southern Türkiye. It consists of a scale that is still illuminated and forms five weights in the form of Greek letters. They date back to ancient times (4th to 7th centuries AD), and are estimated to be around 1600 years.

Uzuncaburç is one of the best preserved ancient cities in the Greek era. The excavations found planned streets, city gates, huge fountains, temples and theaters. This scale is concentrated in the excavation of two streets across the middle of the ancient city.

There are many remains of shops found, many, if not all, will be used to determine the value of the goods sold. From butchers to doctors to metal workers to restaurants to bakers and potters, everyone is charged for raw materials and finished products. The military used them to weigh the rations. Even amphibians, essential transport ships for food and drink are sold to merchants by weight.

This type of iron balance scale was common in ancient times. The design has a cross beam at the center point and comes with a pivot hanger. On both ends are plates, one holds the goods and the other is weight. The Romans used these scales to trade, assess taxes and ensure accurate metal weight in coin production. Ancient sources reported frequent problems with fraudulent weight. Fake scales and weights will be destroyed and fined dishonest.

The fact that Aydınoğlu caught people’s attention was the discovery of the scale, he explained: “These types of iron balance scales are quite common with hanging pans. What’s more interesting is that together with the scales, five weights were found. These weights were made in the letter form of ancient Greek letters, and the weights that everyone can use. The weights range from half the litra to five litras in modern measurements.

Aydınoğlu said no such examples were encountered in previous excavations, and emphasized that weights were marked with letters.

“They used symbolism in weights. This may be a method adopted by local merchants or common systems. We were pleased to find the first complete set of measurement systems,” he said.