Scientists have revived a mysterious seed discovered in a cave near Jerusalem. Researchers say the species is about 1,000 years old and could be the budding of a long-lost Biblical tree.
In the mid-1980s, archaeologists excavated a cave in the lower Wadi el-Maqq, north of Jerusalem. Inside a cave along a 26-foot cliff were Roman beads, woven rope and about a dozen ancient seeds, mostly for fruit-bearing date palms. Phoenix dactylifera and egyptian balanitisAccording to daily mail.But there was one 0.8-inch seed that intrigued scientists.
I was very excited. It's bringing something from 1000 years ago back to life. ”
Radiocarbon dating estimates the origin of this seed to be between 993 AD and 1202 AD.
Researchers believe the seeds were brought into the cave by animals.
“We don't think it was introduced by humans. The cave was a burial site and was not inhabited,” said Dr. Sarah Salon of Hadassah University Medical Center. jerusalem post office.
Salon pointed out that there was evidence that the cave had been plundered by tomb robbers.
The seeds, named “Shiva,” were planted in 2010, and seedlings sprouted five weeks later. When plants shed their bark, they obtained resin.
Scientists say that Shiva is a species of: Commiphora — Frankincense and parts of the myrrh family (Kansas family) — It consists of about 200 species of living plants.
Commiphora The plant is primarily found throughout Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula.
Saron said the grasshopper cannot be botanically named until it flowers and its physical structure is better known.
Shiva harvested enough mature foliar material for chemical and genetic analysis.
“The identity of the Biblical 'tsori' (translated into English as 'balm') has long been a subject of debate,” the researchers wrote in a study published this month. communication biology.
Biblical “Tsori'' is a medicinal extract with healing powers Mentioned in Genesis, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. The Bible mentions a healing resin in the historic Gilead region, located in today's Jordan, on the east bank of the Jordan River between the Yarmouk River and the northern tip of the Dead Sea.
Salon and his co-authors say that Shiva may be “Jewish balsam” or “Jewish balsam.” This is a now extinct tree species that existed in the southern Levant, the region that includes present-day Israel, Palestine, and Palestine. Jordan.
Jewish balsam was prized in ancient times for its exquisite aroma and medicinal properties.
“The most valuable export of ancient Judea (present-day Israel and Palestine) and widely described by ancient writers, Jewish balsam was prized for its fragrant aromatic resin.”Opobalsamum” (Gk: 'balsamon sap') and its many economic uses,” the researchers wrote.
Housenka (Commiphora gileadensis) By the 9th century, it had disappeared from the area.
“We sent samples (leaves, bark resin, etc.) to Dr. Gavin Framatti at the University of Western Australia, who is an expert in identifying aromatic compounds released by combustion,” Salon said. It wasn’t released, but it was released.” Substances of great medicinal value are found in abundance. ”
live science “Chemical analysis of birch leaves and resin revealed that the tree is rich in pentacyclic triterpenoids, which are biologically active compounds.” Anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. ”
The researchers said their phytochemical analysis of birch leaves and resins identified compounds associated with “wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumor activities.”
“Using the results of DNA sequencing, phylogenetic and phytochemical analyses, combined with historical and archaeological materials and phytogeographical data, 'Shiva' is extinct (or at least extinct). ) suggests that it may be a species. CommiphoraIt used to grow naturally in this area, and its resin extract isTsori (Hebrew: flow/drip) was mentioned in biblical texts and was considered a valuable substance associated with healing, but it is not described as having a scent in these sources,” the paper states.
Further research is still needed to confirm whether shiva is a Jewish balsam.
Salon said: It is reviving something from 1,000 years ago in the present day. ”
Do you like Blaze News? Avoid censorship and sign up for our newsletter to get articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. Register here!
