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Graphically, the components of class (3) are represented
by the usual ideograms found in Sumerian texts: še (capacity),
ku3-babbar (weight), and a-ša3 (surface). These
ideograms have the same function as the signs called
“ktematograms” or “substantive symbols” by Bennett in
his study of the Linear B script (Bennett 1963: 115). 22
Finally, the notation of a quantity includes:
• a measure, which is made up from numerical values
(1) and units of measure (2)
• a lexeme indicating the nature of the quantifi ed
items (3).
These three components are almost always present when
metrological quantities are written down in mathematical
texts.
§3.3.8. Looking at the graphical repertory of metrological
lists, we see that the same grapheme has different
functions dependent on the sequence in which it
is written. For instance, the sign