Could the practice of using carob seeds for measurement be seen in regions outside the Mediterranean?

The use of carob seeds as a standard of measurement, particularly for weighing precious items like gold, has a long history rooted predominantly in the Mediterranean region. Carob seeds were prized for their remarkable uniformity in weight, which led to the establishment of the carat system, originally based on the weight of a single seed. This practice was especially prevalent in ancient civilizations around the Mediterranean basin, including Egypt, Greece, and Rome, where trade in precious metals and gemstones was common and required reliable weight standards.

Outside the Mediterranean, evidence of carob seeds being used as weight measures is considerably less common. While the concept of using seeds and other small natural objects for measurement existed in various cultures globally, the carob seed’s role in defining the carat appears largely tied to the geographical and cultural context of the Mediterranean world. In regions such as South Asia or Southeast Asia, different seeds, grains, or small objects were traditionally used for weighing goods, reflecting local agricultural and economic conditions rather than borrowing directly from Mediterranean practices.

That said, the influence of Mediterranean trade routes and cultural exchanges did sometimes spread such measurement techniques to adjacent regions. However, the specific practice of using carob seeds did not become a widespread international standard outside these proximate areas until much later. The carat system became globally recognized only after it was formalized in modern times, long after the original reliance on carob seeds themselves had ended.

In summary, while the use of carob seeds as a weight standard originated and was most prominent in the Mediterranean, the concept did not have significant independent use in regions beyond this area. The tradition remains a fascinating example of how ancient natural materials helped shape early commerce and continue to influence modern units of mass for precious commodities worldwide.