Establishing Value: Weight Measures in Early Mesopotamia

This Book Explores The Reasons For Which Weights And Scales Were Used To Measure Goods In Early Mesopotamia (ca. 3,200-2,000 Bce). The Vast Corpus Of Cuneiform Records From This Period Sheds Light On The Various Mechanisms Behind The Development Of This Cultural Innovation. Weighing Became The Means Of Articulating The Value Of Both Imported And Locally-produced Goods Within A Socioeconomic System That Had Reached An Unprecedented Level Of Complexity. This Study Provides A Comprehensive Analysis Of This Cultural And Economic Phenomenon, Which Simultaneously Reflected And Shaped The Relationships Between Individuals And Groups In Mesopotamia Throughout The Third Millennium Bce. Frontmatter -- Preface -- Contents -- Abbreviations -- 1. Approaching The Topic -- 2. From Burden To Talent -- 3. Mina: The Cosmopolite -- 4. Shekel: A Tiny Axe -- 5. The Missing Link: Ninda2 × Še+n -- 6. Reforms And New Measures -- 7. Stone Weights -- 8. Weighing Scales -- 9. Weighmasters And The Context Of Weighing -- 10. Weighed Goods -- A Retrospect -- Bibliography -- General Index: Subjects, Names, Places, Authors -- Signs And Sumerian Words -- Akkadian Words -- Cuneiform Texts Vitali Bartash. Mode Of Access: Internet Via World Wide Web. In English.