THE FIVE-DAY WEEK

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3449, 24 November 1932, Page 7

THE FIVE-DAY WEEK

The "five-day week" dates back 4000 years. In 2200 B.C. the Hittites and the Assyrians used the same spstem, according to tablets found at Alishar by Dr. H. H. von der Osten, director of the Hittite Expedition of the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, and translated by Dr. I. J- Gelb, of the institute staff. The documents refer to the business methods of Assyrian merchants and money-lenders. They are the second group of "Cappadocian" tablets uncovered. They were discovered in a building excavated by the expedition, many still in their clay envelopes. One tablet, a letter to a creditor, enclosed

payment and a threat of death if further payment was demanded. Two others, from an agent to his employer, relate to a business trip. Interest rates as high as 50 and CO per cent, were asked and received by the Assyrian, who doubted the ability of the Hittites to repay. On one loan the rate was 180 per cent, a'nd a bonus of honey. All were short-term loans, not exceeding six months. Between Assyrians, however, rates were 20 to 30 per cent. When a debtor failed to pay he was sold into slavery.