guy Posted September 24 Report Share Posted September 24 (edited) Scientists have successfully germinated a 1,000-year-old seed found in the Judean Desert. The resulting tree, nicknamed "Sheba," may be part of a lost lineage mentioned in the Bible. It is believed to be linked to the biblical "tsori," a resinous extract mentioned in texts like Genesis, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. This resin was highly valued in ancient times for its medicinal properties and was used in perfumes, incense, and as a treatment for various ailments. The seed, estimated from between 993 and 1202 CE, was found in a cave in the Judean Desert. It has taken nearly 14 years to grow into a fully developed tree (see picture above). Scientists have done DNA, chemical, and radiocarbon tests to learn more about where it came from and what it can be used for. The researchers have identified Sheba as belonging to the genus Commiphora, which is part of the myrrh and frankincense family (Burseraceae) and includes around 200 living plant species. Commiphora plants are mainly found across Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. It is still unclear to which species Sheba belongs because the tree has not flowered and, therefore, hasn't produced the reproductive material needed for more detailed analyses by scientists. Lost Biblical tree resurrected from 1,000-year-old mystery seed found in the Judean Desert | Live Science Characterization and analysis of a Commiphora species germinated from an ancient seed suggests a possible connection to a species mentioned in the Bible | Communications Biology (nature.com) This is reminiscent of the recent extinct Judaean date tree revived. Edited September 24 by guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guidoLaMoto Posted September 26 Report Share Posted September 26 Amazing......There are rare examples of other ancient seeds able to have been germinated after thousands of years. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldest_viable_seed. Apparently it's an often repeated myth that grain seeds from the Pyramids have been germinated. Somewhat related, Moses' original Burning Bush is supposedly still alive and doing well at St Catherine's monastery in Sinai. The monastery is only 1700 y/o, so the bush was already 1600y/o when the place was built. I wonder if they have have to pay extra for fire insurance? https://madainproject.com/burning_bush_of_saint_catherine_monastery#google_vignette 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy Posted September 26 Author Report Share Posted September 26 (edited) Thanks for reading my post. The amount of hyperbole involving the health benefits of this revived plant is silly, but it is interesting: Quote The tree, which the team has named Sheba, is approximately 3 meters in height with green leaves on its limbs. As the tree has grown, the researchers have conducted a study of its wood, resin and leaves. They report that its type is now extinct. They also found evidence of pentacyclic triterpenoids—compounds that are known to reduce inflammation in human patients. https://phys.org/news/2024-09-medicinal-tree-successfully-grown-year.html Edited September 26 by guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guidoLaMoto Posted September 27 Report Share Posted September 27 It's no secret that 95% of drugs available today were discovered in or derived from chemicals made by plants....but I wonder how much Yew tree bark a woman would have to chew to cure her breast cancer....or what the other 50,000 chemicals in the bark would be doing to her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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