An international research group managed to germinate the seeds of an ancient tree belonging to the genus Commiphora found in a cave in the Judean desert in the 1980s. Scientists have assumed that this plant is mentioned in biblical texts. The history of the seed lying in the ground for almost a thousand years is not only fascinating, but also opens up new opportunities to study the ancient vegetation of the arid region.

In a study published in the journal Communication BiologyScientists described the entire path of the find, from archaeological excavations to the first sprouts and the development of the plant.

Radiocarbon dating of a seed discovered in a cave in the northern Judean Desert showed its origins as far back as 993-1202 AD. The find was then transferred to the Center for Sustainable Agriculture (Israel), where researchers were able to germinate it.

First, the seeds were prepared for planting by treating them with special solutions to stimulate growth, and then they were planted in sterile soil. Five weeks later, the first sprout appeared, which became a significant event in itself.

belonging to the genus of the plant commifora – The Burseraceae family, known for its resinous secretions, was established using DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Although the plant does not resemble any species known to science, its closest relatives turned out to be three species. commifora from South Africa.

This connection is surprising because commifora It is generally associated with parts of Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula.

The authors of the scientific study hypothesized that the plant is related to “tsori”, a resin mentioned in the Bible and known for its healing properties. Unlike other species commiforaThe new plant, valued for its aromatic resins, contains few aromatic compounds. However, the presence of a number of previously unknown glycolipids that may have pharmacological activity suggests that the plant is used for medicinal purposes.

The tree, which the team has named Shiba, reaches a height of three meters and offers scientists a unique opportunity to study an extinct plant.

Researchers have put forward various hypotheses about how the seed fell into the cave. It may have been brought by birds or animals, but the involvement of people who saved the seeds for later use is not excluded. The team plans to continue research to identify the plant’s species and study its properties.