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LIFE IN FIRST TEMPLE TIMES
The Weight of Silver
A great many weights, called shekels, dating from the 8th to
6th century BCE, have been discovered at archaeological sites.
They were used to determine the weight of precious metals, mainly silver,
that changed hands in commercial transactions. This system of weights
was reportedly standardized around the 7th century BCE, as part of the
far-reaching religious and administrative reforms carried out under
King Josiah.
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Cooking pot containing a silver hoard.
Collection of Israel Antiquities Authority, exhibited at The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
and Collection of The Israel Museum, Jerusalem
Photo © The Israel Museum, by Dr. Jean-Luc Pilon, Canadian Museum of Civilization
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