Egyptian Measurement

Presented by:
Group 1
What is Egyptian measurement?
• Egyptian units of measurement. A number of
units of measurement were used in
Egypt to measure length, mass, area, capacity,
etc. In Egypt, the metric system was made
optional in 1873 and has been compulsory in
government use since 1891

• Before there were standard units such as inches

and feet, people used body measures
2
 How did Egyptians
measure things?
•The
ancient Egyptians us
ed cubits, palms, and
digits
to measure length.

3
 How long is an
Egyptian cubit?
• The earliest attested standard
measure is from the Old Kingdom
pyramids of Egypt. It was the royal
cubit (mahe).
• The royal cubit was 523 to 525 mm
(20.6 to 20.64 inches) in length: and
was subdivided into 7 palms of 4
digits each, for a 28-part measure
in total.
• It is the length from your elbow to
the tips of your fingers.
4
Example
•When you are
measuring a small
boat, a cubit can be
used. ADD A FOOTER
5
 Palm

•A palm is the width of

your hand.
• When you are
measuring a serving
tray , a palm is used.

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6
•There are seven palms in a
cubit.

how many palms are there in a cubit?

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7
 Digit
•A digit is the width of
your finger.

• When you measure a

bean, a digit can be
used.
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8
•The royal cubit is divided into seven palms of
four digits or fingers each. The
royal cubit measured approximately 525 mm,
so the length of the ancient Egyptian digit was
about 19 mm.

how many digits are there in a cubit?

ADD A FOOTER
9
Thank You!
Group 1

VII-Maxwell