What is why is stone used for weight?

Stone has been used for weights for millennia due to a combination of several key properties:

  • Abundance and Availability: Stones are readily available in most regions, making them a practical and accessible material. This reduces the need for complex manufacturing or trade networks to obtain weights.

  • Durability and Longevity: Stone's inherent durability means it can withstand repeated use and handling without significant degradation. Weights need to maintain their mass over time to be accurate.

  • Density: Many types of stone are dense, meaning they have a high mass per unit volume. This is desirable for weights, as it allows for a substantial weight to be achieved without being excessively bulky or unwieldy.

  • Inertness: Stone is generally chemically inert and does not readily react with other materials. This helps prevent contamination of the items being weighed and ensures the weight itself remains stable.

  • Ease of Shaping: While requiring some effort, stone can be shaped and modified to achieve a desired size and weight. This allows for the creation of standardized weight measurements for trade and other purposes.