Scientists Grow the ‘Sheba’ Tree from a 1,000-Year-Old Seed

In the late 1980s, during the excavation of a Judean Desert cave, archaeologists discovered an ancient seed that dates to between AD 993 and 1202. After years of trying, scientists have finally succeeded in growing one into a ten-foot tree. DNA analysis reveals it is part of the Commiphora family prevalent across Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula. The tree produces a medicinal resin that compares to one that is mentioned multiple times throughout the Bible.

The ‘Sheba’ Tree

The experts believe that this unknown “Sheba” tree is similar to the “Judean Balsam,” or “Balm of Judea,” mentioned several times throughout the Bible. It produces a fragrant resin known as “tsori,” which was used to make perfume, incense, cataract medicine, embalming, and an antidote to certain poisons.

Most notably present between the fourth century BC and eighth century AD, the Judean Balsam disappeared from the Levant region by the ninth century AD. Now that researchers have been able to get the tree to grow, they are hopeful that it will soon flower and produce fruit so that they can get a stronger confirmation that they are correct in their classifications.

Scientific Controversy

While scientists have confidently determined the tree’s species, without the production of a flower or fruit, it is difficult to narrow down exactly what it is. As it appears, the tree is closely related to C. angolensis, C. neglecta, and C. tenuipetiolata, which are all members of the Commiphora species of trees located in southern Africa. It does not, however, show close relation to the C. gileadensis, the type of tree believed to be described in the Bible, as it lacks the aromatic compounds that help define the Judean Balsam.

Research of Sheba’s leaves and resin shows that the tree is high in pentacyclic triterpenoids, biologically active compounds associated with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Squalene, an oily substance known for its antioxidant and skin-smoothing properties, was also found in the tree’s foliage.

Despite the unknowns, the success associated with growing tree from a 1,000-year-old seed is remarkable. The information gained from researching the tree could prove beneficial to modern medicine, even if it is confirmed not to be the biblical tree, Judean Balsam.

Takeaways:

1. After many years of failed attempts, scientists finally managed to grow a tree from a 1,000-year-old seed.
2. The seed was found in a cave in the Judean Desert back in the 1980s and was believed to be that of a tree mentioned in the Bible and valued for its many uses.
3. While researchers are confident what family the tree belongs to, they won’t know exactly which variety it is until it produces flowers and fruit.