Inductive Metrology
Or, The Recovery of Ancient Measures from the Monuments

This innovative 1877 work explains how monuments can be reinterpreted to determine ancient methods of linear measurement.

William Matthew Flinders Petrie (Author)

9781108065764, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 5 September 2013

176 pages, 2 tables
21.6 x 14 x 1 cm, 0.23 kg

Among the leading Egyptologists of his day, Sir William Matthew Flinders Petrie (1853–1942) excavated over fifty sites and trained a generation of archaeologists. As a young man, he demonstrated an aptitude for mathematics and used this skill to measure monuments across the south of England, including Stonehenge. Published in 1877, this work was based in part on these early surveys and provides great insight into the linear measurements used by ancient civilisations. Notably, Petrie establishes that accurate measurement was possible in societies without writing systems. His innovative approach to metrology draws comparisons between units of measurement used by peoples separated by great spans of time and distance, ranging from medieval Ireland to ancient Egypt. Petrie went on to write prolifically throughout his long career, and a great many of his other publications are also reissued in this series.

Preface
Introduction
1. Methods of inductive examination
2. Application of the doctrine of probabilities
3. Sources of error, notes on ascertaining units, and results to be expected
4. Egypt
5. Babylonia, Assyria, Persia, and Syria
6. Asia Minor and Greece
7. Italy, Africa, and Sardinia
8. Mediaeval Ireland and England
9. Rude stone remains, America, India, etc.
10. Synopsis of the inductive examination
General results
Addenda.

Subject Areas: Archaeology by period / region [HDD]