About 4000 years ago today, the scales used to measure mass in our Anatolia are equal arms. In the Ottoman Empire, the most intensive use of scales in everyday life is the bazaars and markets. For this reason, the scales were constantly checked against cheating in order not to harm the public. The officers responsible for the checks were called ‘’Muhtesib’’, and these officers were obliged to check the scales and stamp the appropriate ones. The revenues obtained from stamping the settings of measurements and scales were a significant part of the revenues of the Ottoman Empire.

Usage: In the scales with a scalepan, the oldest known type of scales, the amount of goods bought or sold was determined. This type of scales consists of two round scalepans suspended by a chain or rope at the ends of one arm. Balance is established by placing the mass of one body to be measured, and the other body by placing known standard masses.