Ancient Seed reborn: Uncovering the secrets of "Sheba" tree
A team of scientists has regenerated a tree from seed over a thousand years old found 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 discovered in a cave in the Judean Desert. Radiocarbon dating showed that it was over 1,000 years old. According to IFL Science, genetic research confirmed that it belongs to the genus Commiphora, from the family Burseraceae. This family includes about 200 modern species of plants known for their valuable aromatic resins and ethnobotanical uses.
The tree grew from a centuries-old seed
The tree, named "Sheba," has been described as a potential relic of the historic flora of the Middle East. Over the past 14 years, it has reached a height of about 3 metres, which allowed scientists to conduct an in-depth analysis. The research published in the scientific journal Communications Biology in September 2024 showed that the seed originated between 993 and 1202 AD.
According to researchers, Sheba is genetically related to species such as 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 the modern territories of Israel, Palestine, and Jordan.
As reported by IFL Science, it was initially suspected that Sheba might be the historic "Balsam of Judea," renowned in antiquity for its aromatic properties. Descriptions of this tree appeared in Greek and Roman texts from the 4th century BC to the 8th century AD. However, the absence of aromatic compounds in Sheba challenged this hypothesis.
Scientists suggest that Sheba 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. The region where the seed originated – the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea – was once known for lush forests and intensively cultivated valleys.
Chemical analysis of Sheba's leaves and resin revealed the presence of pentacyclic triterpenoid compounds, which have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-cancer effects. Additionally, the leaves contain up to 30 percent squalene, a component used in skincare cosmetics.
During their research, the scientists considered the seed's origin and how it could have ended up in the cave in the Judean Desert, where it survived for many years. Two main hypotheses were adopted: it could have been carried there by animals or intentionally stored by humans. Archaeological evidence suggests that 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 might have stored the seed during political and economic upheavals when valuable goods were hidden. Although no other traces of human presence were found in the cave, researchers do not exclude this possibility. It is worth noting that people currently act similarly. A perfect example is the so-called "Doomsday Vault" on the island of Spitsbergen, where seed samples from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania are stored. Currently, it contains approximately 1,331,458 samples of plant seeds belonging to 6,297 species.
