Abstract
In the study of the ancient mass systems, many investigators are at ounce confronted with the difficulty that the values found are extremely variables. One cause of this is that the weights may no longer have their original values. There are the wear and tear of use, accidental damage, and corrosion. And some illegal privatemade weights may also occationally included.
A statistic procedure for detecting outlying masses in sample is significantly far removed from the main body of the data. The mean values and standard deviations are calculated with 95per cent confidence. The regression equation obtained by a least square method from the mean values and standard deviations. Then the average sensitivity of the balances for the preparations of the weights are calculated by extrapolating to zero the mean values in the equation.
This procedure confirmed by applying to japanese balances and weights.
There have been judged that 3per cent outlyers were contained in the weights excavated at Moenjodaro, Harappa, and Chanhudaro.
The mass system of Indus cities are based on the binary and partly. decimal systems, and returned to original state by the use of calculated minimum mass, 0.856g. The capacity and sensitivity of the most precision balances are respectively estimated about 27g and 32mg.
