Ancient Egyptian Units of Measurement - Length

Length

Units of length date back to at least the early dynastic period. In the Palermo stone, for instance, the level of the Nile river is recorded. During the reign of Pharaoh Djer the height of the river Nile was given as measuring 6 cubits and 1 palm. This is equivalent to approximately 320 cm (roughly 10 feet 6 inches).

A third dynasty diagram shows how to construct an elliptical vault using simple measures along an arc. The ostracon depicting this diagram was found in the area of the Step Pyramid in Saqqara. A curve is divided into five sections and the height of the curve is given in cubits, palms and fingers in each of the sections.

Lengths could be measured by cubit rods, examples of which have been found in the tombs of officials. Fourteen such rods, including one double cubit rod, were described and compared by Lepsius in 1865. Two examples are known from the tomb of Maya – the treasurer of Tutankhamun – in Saqqara. Another was found in the tomb of Kha (TT8) in Thebes. These cubits are ca 52,5 cm long and are divided into seven palms, each palm is divided into four fingers and the fingers are further subdivided.

For longer distances, such as land measurements, the Ancient Egyptians used rope. A scene in the tomb of Menna in Thebes shows surveyors measuring a plot of land using rope with knots ties at regular intervals. Similar scenes can be found in the tombs of Amenhotep-Sesi, Khaemhat and Djeserkareseneb. The balls of rope are also shown in New Kingdom statues of officials such as Senenmut, Amenemhet-Surer and Penanhor.