A chain is a unit of length used in some older systems of measurement, particularly in surveying and land measurement. In the United States, one chain is equal to 66 feet or 22 yards. Internationally, it's defined as exactly 20.1168 meters.
Chains were historically used for measuring large plots of land and for surveying purposes, often in agriculture and real estate. However, the use of the chain as a standard unit of measurement has largely been replaced by the more modern and standardized metric and imperial systems, which use units like meters, feet, and yards.
The term "chain" comes from the practice of physically measuring land using a chain made of linked metal bars or wire. Each chain was typically 66 feet long, and surveyors would lay out chains end to end to measure distances across large areas. Today, modern surveying equipment such as electronic distance measuring devices (EDMs) and GPS technology have largely replaced the use of physical chains in land surveying.
The "long cubit" is a historical unit of length used in various ancient cultures, including ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. It was a longer version of the standard cubit, which was used for measuring length in these civilizations.
The exact length of the long cubit could vary depending on the region and time period, but it was typically longer than the standard cubit. In ancient Egypt, for example, the long cubit was approximately 52.3 centimeters (about 20.6 inches), while the standard cubit was around 45 centimeters (about 17.7 inches).
These cubits were often used in construction, architecture, and other applications where length measurements were needed. The long cubit was particularly useful for larger and more precise construction projects.
It's important to note that the long cubit is a historical unit of measurement and is not part of modern measurement systems like the metric system or the imperial system.