Libyan units of measurement
A number of different units of measurement were used in Libya to measure length, mass, area, etc. The metric system was adopted in Libya in 1927.[1]
System before the metric system
[edit]A number of different units were used.
Length
[edit]Several units were used to measure length. One pik was equal to 0.68 m as it was defined by metric equivalent.[2][3] Some other units are given below (Note: these units too were defined by metric equivalents):
1 handaze = 1 pik
1 palmo = 1⁄3 pik
1 draa = 0.46 m.[2][3] In Tripoli, draa was equal to 26.42 in and arbi draa (lesser pik) was equal to 19.029 in.[4]
Mass
[edit]A number of units were used to measure mass. One rottolo was equal to 0.512 8 kg as it was defined by metric equivalent.[2][3] Some other units are given below (Note: these units too were defined by metric equivalents):
1 oka = 2.5 rottolo = 1282 g
1 metical = 4.76 g
1 kharouba = 1⁄2560 oka
1 dram = 1⁄160 oka
1 termino = 1⁄128 oka
1 uckin = 1⁄16 oka
1 mattaro = 42 oka
1 cantar = 100 oka.[2][3] In Tripoli, metical (73.6 grains) wnuas to measure gold and silver.[4]
Area
[edit]Several units were used to measure area. One pik2 was equal to 0.4624 m2 as it was defined by it metric equivalent.[2][3] Some other units were given below:
1 denum = 1600 pik2
Capacity
[edit]Two systems, dry and liquid were used to measure capacity.
Dry
[edit]Several units were used to measure dry capacity. One orba was equal to 7.5 L as it was defined by metric equivalent (According to some sources, one orba was equal to 7.692 L[3]).[2] Some other units were given below:
1 nufsorbah = 1⁄2 orba
1 marta = 2 orba[3]
1 kele = 2 orba[3]
1 temen = 4 orba
Following units were also used to measure dry capacity by weight:
1 oka =1282 g (defined by metric equivalent)
1 marta = 11–14 (oka of water)
1 kele = 2 marta.[2][3] In Tripoli, 1 cafiso (20 tiberi) was equal to 1.152 bushels.[4]
Liquid
[edit]Several units were used to measure liquid capacity. One barile was equal to 64.8 L as it was defined by metric equivalent (According to sources, one barile was equal to 62.4975 L.[3]).[2] One bozze was equal to 1/24 barile.[2][3] One gorraf was equal to 1/5 barrile, and giarra was nearly equal to 50/71 barile.[3] Following units were also used to measure liquid capacity by weight:
1 oka = 1282 g (defined by metric equivalent)
1 gorraf = 9.75 oka (of water)
1 giarra = 58.5 oka.[2][3] In Tripoli, Mataro, for oil, was equal to 9.163 gal.[4]
Barca and Fezzan had the same units as units in Tripoli.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. pp. 7. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Washburn, E.W. (1926). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. Vol. 1. New York: McGraw-Hil Book Company, Inc. p. 12.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. pp. 127–128. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
- ^ a b c d e Clarke, F.W. (1891). Weights Measures and Money of All Nations. New York: D. Appleton & Company. p. 74.