Biblical Plant Revived From Ancient Seed After 1,000 Years
Researchers have germinated an ancient seed dating back over 1,000 years, recovered from archaeological contexts in the Negev Desert region. " Historical records indicate that the resin-producing plant was utilized across Judaic, Greco-Roman, and Arabian cultures. Traditional accounts describe its historical use for wounds, infections, and inflammation. The original regional populations of the tree eventually disappeared, attributed by researchers to climatic shifts, over-harvesting, and changing land-use practices.
To achieve germination, scientists verified the age of the seed using radiocarbon dating, carefully regulated hydration to avoid damaging the ancient tissues, and cultivated the specimen under controlled environmental conditions designed to emulate its historical habitat. The resulting saplings provide living material for botanical study, offering opportunities to investigate the genetic traits, drought resistance, and historical phytochemistry of the species.