An Unusual Lead Weight of 22 grammata

Abstract

A lead weight of mass 25.7 g with the denomination “22 grammata” scratched in Greek on
one face was found in Northern Israel. It is suggested that the weight may have been part of a
doctor’s or apothecary’s equipment, and could have been used for compounding a medicine,
which called for that particular weight of one ingredient. The historical and metrological
arguments for such a hypothesis are discussed.