Scientists Revive Ancient Tree from 1,000-Year-Old Seed
- A 1,000-year-old seed found in a Judean Desert cave has successfully germinated into a sapling named 'Sheba'.
- The tree belongs to the Commiphora family, known for its resin 'tsori', which was used in ancient medicine and trade.
- This discovery may help identify the Judean Balsam, a historically significant tree that disappeared by the 9th century.
Researchers have successfully grown a sapling from a 1,000-year-old seed discovered in a cave in the Judean Desert, dating back to between 993AD and 1202AD. This sapling, named 'Sheba', belongs to a unique species of the Commiphora family, known for its aromatic gum resins. The tree's resin, referred to as 'tsori' in ancient texts, was highly valued in the ancient world for its medicinal properties and was widely exported throughout the Roman Empire. The Judean Balsam, a product of this tree, was cultivated in the southern Levant during Biblical times and has been documented in historical literature from various periods. Despite its significance, the Judean Balsam disappeared from the region by the 9th century. The DNA analysis of the 'Sheba' tree suggests it may have been used as rootstock for the Judean Balsam, which could explain the absence of Commiphora seeds in archaeological excavations. The sapling exhibits leaves with anti-inflammatory compounds, indicating potential medicinal uses. However, it has not yet produced flowers or fruit, which are essential for further comparison with modern relatives. Researchers believe that the current environment may not be suitable for its reproductive processes. This groundbreaking research highlights the importance of reviving species that hold cultural and historical significance. The germination of the ancient seed provides evidence of the tree's presence in the region a millennium ago and its association with valuable medicinal resin mentioned in Biblical texts.