ardeb

1

In Sudan opens map showing location of Sudan, and Egypt, 20ᵗʰ century, a unit of dry capacity, = 198 liters (about 5.62 U.S. bushels).¹ chart symbol Another source says the “standard ardeb” is 195 liters.² In the 19ᵗʰ century, about 183.48 liters.

In Egypt, 19ᵗʰ century, 1 ardeb of certain commodities represented a defined weight instead of a volume, and in the case of some commodities the definition differed for present purchase (the “spot” market) or for future delivery.

Commodity Spot market Future delivery
beans 327 rotls 320 rotls
wheat or maize 310 rotls 300 rotls
barley 250 rotls 240 rotls
lentils 330 rotls 330 rotls
cottonseed 270 rotls 270 rotls

1. United Nations, 1966.

2. Technical Conversion Factors…, 1972, page 307.

examples

1,000 ardebs of cotton seed weigh about 118 tons.

Frank F. Sherriff, compiler.
The Oil Merchants' Manual and Oil Trade Ready Reckoner. 2nd edition, revised.
London: Scott, Greenwood and Co., 1904.

2

In Liberia in the 19th century, two ardebs were used. The ardeb of Gondar, approximately 7.6907 bushels.

3

In Abyssinia, two ardebs:

International Critical Tables, 1926

Where is Sudan?

A map showing the location of Sudan.