Question 1

How do I convert a cubit to meters?

Accepted Answer

To convert from cubits to meters, multiply the cubit value by 0.4572. One ancient Egyptian cubit is approximately equal to 0.4572 meters.

Question 2

What is the difference between Imperial and Metric systems?

Accepted Answer

The Imperial system (used primarily in the US) is based on historically arbitrary units, while the Metric system (used in most countries) is based on decimal calculations and scientific standards. Metric units are easier to convert since they use powers of 10.

Question 3

How old are measurement systems?

Accepted Answer

Measurement systems date back to ancient civilizations. The Egyptian cubit is over 5,000 years old, based on the length from elbow to extended fingertips. Ancient Mesopotamians, Egyptians, and Romans all developed sophisticated measurement systems for trade, construction and land measurement.

Historical Unit Conversion

Historical Measurement Instruments