Technikatörténeti szemle 9. (1977)

A MÉRÉS ÉS A MÉRTÉK AZ EMBERI MŰVELŐDÉSBEN című konferencián Budapesten 1976. április 27–30-án elhangzott előadások I. rész - Bowsher, H. F.: Régi mértékegységek fejlődése

3. Certain numbers were frequently used in metrology which are highly rounded when expressed in a base 60 system but appear complex when expressed in base 10. This is undoubtedly infuenced by the Babylonians, use of the base 60 system. 4. Certain numbers such as 6 and 7, which were considered by the ancients to be linked to certain qualities and to possess magical significane, were often incorporated into metrological systems. 5. Many of the ancient units were related to the assumed circumference of the earth. 6. Magnitudes of ancient units were carefully maintained and some remained virtually unchanged for a thousand years or more. 7. The present English units have roots in deep antiquity and have remained virtually unchanged. Because of this, ancient units will be expressed in terms of the English system of units instead of the presently more commonly used metric system. In some cases we have no direct evidence (eg. extant writings) which prove the correctness of the assigned values; however, the proposed values describe sets which would be convenient, have the above mentioned attractive features, are linked to a philosophy which was attractive at the time, meet the conditions found in ancient extant literature and fall within the spread of values as determined by the recovered artifacts known to the author of this paper. Only further research can tell if the proposed values can stand the test of time as more data become available. The discussion of ancient metrological units and their link to the then current philosophies will begin by considering certain ancient Egyptian length units. It is known that the ancient Egyptians had developed geometry quite early. Certain geometrical shapes were considered sacred and to possess magical powers. The early Egyiptians considered Egypt as having a special geometrical shape and occupying a unique and special position on the earth. Professor Stecchini claims that the ancient Egyptians had determined that the earth was nearly spherical and had determined the earth's circumference quite accurately. He claims that they had developed a coordinate grid system for the earth's surface and were greatly influenced by geometrical considerations in selecting sites for temples, pyramids and capitals. One of the most enduring and impressive monuments built by the ancient Egyptians was the Great Pyramid of Giza. This pyramid was designed to have the length of the sides of the base equal to one eighth of a minute of a degree of latitude and to be equal to 500 cubits or 750 feet. J. H. Cole has performed what is probably the most accurate survey of the Pyramid. He obtained an average of 9069.4 inches for the length of the sides of the base. In order to use the above data to re-establish certain ancient Egyptian units of length, some conclusion must be made as to the intended length of the base of the Pyramid. Weathering and punishment inflicted by man have made it impossible to determine the original dimensions exactly. Also the builders would not have been able to construct the base length precisely to their intended