The distinctive point
Mesopotamian digit: a value with room for evidence
The distinctive point is the uncertainty, not just the headline magnitude. The matrix carries ± 8e-05 m and names the basis as derived-from-cubit. That keeps comparison possible without pretending that every specimen, survey, or period produced one perfect constant.
Basis: derived-from-cubit. Check the record source.
- largerNippur cubit1/30 of Nippur cubit
What this unit was
Mesopotamian digit is modelled here as a length standard of the Mesopotamian tradition, associated with Southern Mesopotamia during Old Babylonian representative. The converter represents one shu-si as 0.0172833 m; its basis is derived-from-cubit. The matrix carries an indicative uncertainty of ± 8e-05 m.
Within that setting, the unit belonged to a working system for survey, building, travel, and the organisation of built space. It should be read with its period, locality, and evidential basis attached, not as a universal value shared by every culture using a similar name.
Evidence of use and sources
The working value is traceable to Stone 2014 Cubit history. Its record is classified as medium confidence and uses the stated basis rather than an assumed culture-wide constant.
Local-library boundary. The supplied local library has no directly pertinent quotation for this tradition. The linked record source supports the stated conversion; three relevant local quotations require a dedicated source acquisition.
Working definition
Mesopotamian digit is modelled here as a Mesopotamian length standard associated with Southern Mesopotamia and Old Babylonian representative. The converter uses a representative value of 0.0172833 m per unit.
How to use it
This value is a contextual research aid, not a universal ruler. Its basis is recorded as derived from cubit with medium confidence. One thirtieth of the selected Nippur cubit
Open this unit in the converter · Return to all units
Next phase
This page will be expanded with source discussion, chronology, evidence, uncertainty notes, and worked examples.