The ancient seed sprouts new hope: Scientists revive the 1,000-year-old tree
A team of scientists has successfully regenerated a tree from seed over a thousand years old, discovered in a cave in the Judean Desert. Experts suggest that the "Sheba" tree could be a source of the biblical "tsori" – a resin described in the books of Genesis, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel as a substance with healing properties.
In the 1980s, a seed was uncovered in a Judean Desert cave. Radiocarbon dating indicated it was over 1,000 years old. According to IFL Science, genetic research confirmed it belonged to the genus Commiphora, from the family Burseraceae. This family comprises about 200 modern plant species known for their aromatic resins and ethnobotanical uses.
The tree grew from a centuries-old seed
The tree, known as "Sheba," is considered a potential relic of the historic flora of the Middle East. Over the past 14 years, it has grown to almost 10 feet tall, allowing scientists to conduct an in-depth analysis. Research published in the scientific journal "Communications Biology" in September 2024 revealed that the seed originated between 993 and 1202 AD.
Genetically, Sheba is closely related to Commiphora angolensis, C. neglecta, and C. tenuipetiolata, but it differs significantly from them. It is believed to be a remnant of an extinct population of trees from the Levant region, which includes modern-day Israel, Palestine, and Jordan.
Initially, it was suspected that Sheba might be the historic "Balsam of Judea," noted in antiquity for its aromatic properties. Greek and Roman texts described this tree from the 4th century BC to the 8th century AD. However, the absence of aromatic compounds in Sheba challenged this hypothesis.
Nonetheless, scientists suggest Sheba could be a source of the biblical "tsori" – a resin described in the books of Genesis, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel as having healing properties. The seed originated in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea, a region once renowned for its lush forests and cultivated valleys.
Chemical analysis of Sheba's leaves and resin identified pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds, known to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-cancer effects. Furthermore, the leaves contain up to 30 percent squalene, a component used in skincare cosmetics.
The researchers considered the seed's origin and how it might have ended up in the Judean Desert cave, where it survived for many years. Two main hypotheses were proposed: animals could have carried it there, or humans might have intentionally stored it. Archaeological evidence suggests Commiphora seeds might have been stored by rodents or consumed by birds such as pigeons, whose remains have been found in the region.
Alternatively, humans may have stored the seed during political and economic upheavals, when valuable goods were hidden. Although no traces of human presence were found in the cave, researchers do not dismiss this possibility. Interestingly, people employ similar practices today. A prime example is the "Doomsday Vault" on the island of Spitsbergen, where seed samples from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania are stored. Currently, it contains 1,331,458 samples of plant seeds from 6,297 species.
