The Bronze Weights are a set of three bronze weights uncovered in the archaeological Qaryat Al-Faw, southeast of Wadi Ad-Dawasir Governorate, Riyadh Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Bronze Weights at the Louvre Museum
The Bronze Weights were among the antiquities selected to participate in the Saudi Archeological Masterpieces Through the Ages Exhibition, held at the Louvre Museum in the French capital, Paris, in 2010. The exhibition featured three hundred artifacts made of diverse materials and from various historical periods. These are original artifacts from different regions of Saudi Arabia, categorized chronologically into three groups: prehistoric artifacts, pre-Islamic artifacts, and Islamic-period artifacts.
Description of the Bronze Weights
The largest piece of the Bronze Weights is rectangular in shape, resembling an animal, and is heavy and made of bronze. At its center, a lead alloy has been cast. The piece stands on four legs and features a semi-circular handle. On one side, a lion's head with a circular mane is attached to the body of the weight. Both sides bear inscriptions in the southern Musnad script. The first inscription, created during the casting process, is raised and displays a personal name divided between two sides, showcasing the Arabic letters (Ghayn, Waaw, Thaa', Baa') on one side and (Nuun, Qaaf, Siin, Miim) (Ghawth Bin Qasam) on the other. The second inscription, engraved at a later stage of crafting the weight, uses incised carving and includes the upper inscription (Miim, Nuun, Jiim, Raa', Alif, Miim) and a lower male proper name (Haa', Faa', Ayn, Miim, Baa', Nuun, Ayn, Miim).
The smaller piece resembles it in its animal-like design but differs in its front legs, which are joined together, as are its back legs. It features a lion's head at the front, with an inscription (Miim, Nuun, Jiim, Raa', Alif, Miim) carved on the opposite side. A small semi-circular handle sits atop the piece, with incised inscriptions on its longer sides in Musnad script.
The third piece is a rectangular bronze block with a lead alloy at its center. It has a looped handle shaped like a horseshoe, with remnants of an unclear inscription visible on its surface.
The weights are registered under the following numbers: 465 F1, 285 F5, and 294 F6.
Dimensions of the Bronze Weights:
294 F6: Length 14.9 cm, Width 6.5 cm, Height twelve cm.
258 F5: Length four cm, Width 1.9 cm, Height three cm.
465 F1: Length four cm, Width 3.5 cm, Height 3.6 cm.
History of the Bronze Weights
The Bronze Weights date back to between the third century BCE and the third century CE. They were used to measure weight.
The plate is preserved in the Museum of Collage of Tourism and Archeology at King Saud University in Riyadh. The discovery of these weights is among the outcomes of archaeological surveys and excavations conducted by Saudi Arabia's antiquities and museums sector over the past years, along with contributions from Saudi archaeologists and scientific missions.
Significance of the Bronze Weights
These metal weights hold significant cultural value, reflecting the interest of Qaryat Al-Faw residents in developing a system of weights and measures for trade purposes. Additionally, the appearance of personal names on these artifacts highlights aspects of ownership.
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