Khet

The Khet was an ancient Egyptian unit of linear measurement that has been given different values but most generally accepted as 100 royal cubits which is equivalent to 52.4 metres. The apparently exaggerated dimensions of the city of Atlantis’ features given by Plato can be removed if we accept the probability that the unit of measurement originally given to Solon was not the Greek stades, then an explanation such as Ulf Richter’s suggestion that the original data was noted in Egyptian khets, becomes very attractive to those seeking a rational explanation for the obviously unrealistic figures given by Plato. This idea would reduce Plato’s figures by a factor of approximately of 3.5, making his topographical descriptions more credible. R. McQuillen is also convinced that Solon changed the unit of measurement from khet to stade, leading to the difficulties we have had identifying the location of Atlantis.

Richter’s interpretation not only gives us a more probable 105 x 157 km dimension instead of 555 x 370 km for the Plain of Atlantis. This makes more sense of Plato’s description of the plain being surrounded by mountains on three sides, as this would not have been perceptible from the centre of a plain with the large dimensions.

Furthermore, Richter points out that the use of the khet gives a more sensible area for the city itself, not to mention the measurements for the canals, bridges and racecourse.