Summary
Arsen E. Harutyunyan
This article presents certain evidence from newly-found inscriptions about “liter” weight measure in the medieval Armenia. The given weight measure was mentioned in the newly-found dedicatory inscriptions of St. Hripsime and St. Shoghakat churches, where the pasture donated products (salt, rice, candle etc.) to be commemorated in the liturgies. The article also contains a short overview of the works of several scholars (Schirakaci A., Manandyan H., Vardanyan R.), who studied Armenian measuring system as well as relative counts concerning liter. The work also includes description of the weight stones, found during archaelogical excavations, and proving that liter was used in Armenia. According to R. Vardanyan, it was equal to 320,4 grams (according to Dvin materials) or 320 grams (according to Ani materials). There are examples from annalistic sources, particularly from memoranda and chronicles, where liters represent today’s kilos. Thus, the existence of liter in the weight system of the medieval Armenian inscriptions contributes to our knowledge of this measure of weight.