On the use of weighting systems in the bronze age

The article is focused on a group of archaeological findings associated withtrade and exchange relations during the Bronze Age and their role in the economy of ancient society. An attempt is made to present an analysis of the objects, operatively definedas weights, and a general overview is given of the relevant findings from the 3rd-2nd millennia B. C. E. from Anatolia (Troy, Mahmatlar, Uluburun). The weighting standards ofstone weights are compared to the weight categories of ingots from precious metals andblanks for jewellery. The authors draw the conclusions that there existed intensive traderelations between Troy II-VI with the region of Syria and Mesopotamia, and that in Anatolia both corresponding weight systems and local Anatolian weighting standard wereused. The article provides data attesting the usage of Near Eastern weight standards in theKuban region (Novotitorovka culture) and North Pontic region (Ingul Catacomb culture),which poses questions on the nature of the use of such type of objects in the functioningof long-distance trade, as well as on the scale of weight system used in the 3rd millenniumB. C. E. The use of weight standards evidences the exchange of values between specialised population groups involved in the production and exchange of metals that stimulatedthe infiltration of Near Eastern civilizational elements in a distant periphery.