An ancient 1,000-year-old seed has grown into a tree named “Shebaa” in Israel. Dating back to Biblical times, the tree has been shown to have medicinal properties, including anti-cancer compounds. Scientists believe it may be related to historical resins mentioned in religious texts.
This remarkable evolution began when archaeologists unearthed ancient seeds in the 1980s. Years later, Dr. Sarah Salon of the Louis L. Boric Natural Medicine Research Center in Jerusalem began a study to date the seeds, which were remarkably 1,000 years old.
Researchers were surprised to find that a small seedling emerged just five weeks after planting, leading scientists to identify the tree as part of the Commiphora genus, although its exact species remains unknown and possibly extinct.
Now it has become a 10 feet high tree. Despite thriving at high altitude, the tree has not yet flowered or borne fruit. Researchers believe it may be related to a healing plant mentioned in the Bible. The project is part of a broader effort to bring back extinct species such as the woolly mammoth and the dodo using hybrid technologies.
In addition to plants, scientists are also studying ancient DNA for new drugs and insights into genetic diversity that could benefit modern medicine. These efforts show how exploring the past can help us understand and improve our future.
In parallel, Mount Everest is rising more rapidly than before, at a rate of about 0.08 inches (2 millimeters) per year due to geological processes dating back millions of years. A recent phenomenon known as “river piracy” is contributing to this unprecedented increase.
In Denmark, archaeologists found a Viking-age cemetery containing more than 50 well-preserved skeletons, including that of a woman buried in a wagon. They plan to extract DNA from the remains to learn more about the people buried there.
Meanwhile, thanks to dedicated efforts the population of the northern bald ibis has rebounded, from just 59 pairs in the 1990s to more than 500 today. Other reintroduction programs, including teaching zoo-raised ibises their migration routes using ultralight aircraft, have helped these distinctive birds return to Europe for the first time since the 1600s.
