Ancient seed sprouts mysterious tree in Judean Desert cave
A team of researchers has successfully grown a tree from a seed that survived for over a thousand years in a cave in the Judean Desert. Experts suggest that the tree, named "Sheba," might be the source of the biblical "tsori." This resin, mentioned in the Book of Genesis, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, was described as having healing properties.
During the 1980s, a mysterious seed was found in the Judean Desert. Radiocarbon dating indicated that it was over a thousand years old, and genetic studies showed that the seed belongs to the genus Commiphora, part of the frankincense family (Burseraceae).
This family includes around 200 modern plant species, valued for their aromatic resins and uses in ethnobotany. The research findings were published in "Communications Biology" in September 2024. The tree has reached a height of nearly three metres within 14 years.
Is it the historical "Balm of Gilead"?
According to IFL Science, it was initially thought that Sheba might be the historical "Balm of Gilead," but the lack of aromatic compounds disproved this hypothesis. Scientists suggest that Sheba might be a relic of an extinct population of trees from the Levant region. According to researchers, genetically, Sheba is closely related to species Commiphora angolensis, C. neglecta, and C. tenuipetiolata, but differs from them in significant characteristics.
Researchers speculate that Sheba might be the source of the biblical "tsori," a resin described in the Book of Genesis, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel as having healing properties. The region where the seed originated—the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea—was once known for its lush forests and intensively cultivated valleys.
Scientists are considering how the seed could have ended up in the cave. They speculate that it might have been transported by animals or deliberately stored by humans. Archaeological evidence suggests the possibility of seed storage by rodents or birds.
Chemical analysis of Sheba's leaves and resin revealed the presence of compounds with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. The leaves contain up to 30% squalene, a component used in skincare products.
