中国古代长度（尺度）标准的建立与发展

Establishment and Development of Length Standard in Ancient China

本文评述中国古代长度（尺度）标准的建立与发展。历史典籍记载与尺度实物证明，4000多年前的大禹曾以“身为度”，现存商代象牙尺长15．8厘米，是“身为度”的体现。西汉兼用排黍（谷物的籽粒）法与固定音频的黄钟律管（乐器）确定尺度，西汉一尺之长为23厘米。清代康熙年间，规定以子午线弧长的0．01秒作为营造尺的标准长度，合32厘米。中国古代长度（尺度）标准的建立与发展是一个不断创新的过程，显示出中华文明保持强大生命力的内在潜质。

In this paper, the establishment and development of length standard in ancient China is studied. It is proved by the recordation of history authority and the real object of length in the following dynasties. In Xia Dynasty of 4000 years ago, Da Yu used the body as length standard. It was embodied by the ivory ruler in length of 15.8cm in Shang Dynasty in existence. In West - Han dynasty , the length was determined by the method of assembling the ker- nel of millet and the pitch pipe of yellow bell with fixed frequency, and one rule was 23cm in length. In Qing dynasty of Kang Xi emperor, the length unit was about 32cm in length, which was determined by the 0.01 second of meridian arc length. It is a constantly innovative course for the establishment and development of length unit in ancient China, which indicates the potential with strong life of Chinese civilization.