MADRID, Jan 9 (EUROPA PRESS) - A seed discovered in the Judean Desert and revived through scientific methods has been identified as an ancient sprout linked to biblical myrrh. The study, led by Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem, involved contributions from Andrea Weeks of George Mason University, whose extensive DNA sequence database played a crucial role in analyzing the genetic composition of the ancient specimen.
While the team confirmed the genus of the sprout, they have yet to identify its precise species. “The exact species is unclear, highlighting the need for further research on biodiversity. No laboratory has yet analyzed all species of Commiphora,” stated Weeks, an associate professor in the Department of Biology and director of the Ted R. Bradley Herbarium at George Mason.
One of the most puzzling aspects of the discovery is the seed's location. Found in a cave, the seed, named 'Sheba' by researchers, had been preserved for centuries in an area far removed from the current distribution of the Commiphora tree, better known as myrrh.
“Radiocarbon dating reveals that this seed formed long after biblical times, but it does not explain how or why it ended up in a cave in the Judean Desert between 800 and 1,000 years ago,” Weeks noted in a statement.
The findings of the study, published in Communications Biology, could significantly influence future research on biodiversity by enhancing our understanding of historical flora and its evolution within current ecosystems.
The interdisciplinary nature of the research, which combines archaeology, ethnobotany, chemistry, and plant taxonomy, contributed to the team's success. In the future, Weeks and her laboratory plan to delve deeper into the diversity of Commiphora.
“Like most scientific research, this project leaves us with more questions than answers,” Weeks remarked. “It sheds light on the complexity of biodiversity and also serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of life over time.”