The Egyptians Ancient Egypt Egypt and the Nile The Old Kingdom Building the Pyramids The Middle Kingdom Pharaohs The New Kingdom Religion Preparing for the Next World Towns and Cities Sculpture and Painting Craftsmen Writing Children and Education Farmers Trade and Ships Family Life Food and Drink Games and Hunting	Scales Egyptian scales worked in much the same way as modern balance scales. Accurate scales were needed to measure valuable things like gold.   Previous: Back Book: The Egyptians Section: Ancient Egypt Chapter: Trade and Ships