Ancient Biblical Tree Revived by Science in the Heart of the Judean Desert

In an astonishing scientific discovery, researchers have successfully germinated a seed more than a thousand years old, found in a cave in the Judean Desert. This seed, analyzed and cultivated by an international team led by Dr. Sarah Sallon of the Hadassah Organization's Natural Medicine Research Center in Jerusalem, could belong to a species of tree mentioned in biblical texts.

Published in the journal Communications Biology, this study questions ancient agricultural and medicinal practices in the Levant region. Using cutting-edge techniques such as DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, researchers are exploring the possibility that this tree, nicknamed “Sheba”, is linked to the production of precious medicinal resins used in Antiquity.

A return to the origins: The rediscovery of a seed and an ancient tree

In 1986, a team of archaeologists made an exceptional discovery in a remote cave in the Judean Desert. They found an intact seed, dating back about a millennium. This seed, preserved in ideal conditions within this desert cave, was initially identified as a rare botanical artifact, possibly linked to ancient agricultural practices. Subjected to carbon-14 dating analyses, it revealed a provenance between 993 and 1202 AD. A time marked by political and social upheavals in the region.

The preservation of this seed for so many centuries, despite the extreme climatic conditions of the desert, is in itself a fascinating phenomenon. But it was only after years of careful study that it was finally planted in 2010. Against all odds, the seed germinated! It thus offered science a unique opportunity: that of resurrecting a lost plant species.

(a) seed before planting (b) seed at 5 weeks (c) seedling (6 months) (d) peeling bark (12 years) (e) leaves showing fine hairs (12 years) (f) mature tree ( 12 years). © S. Sallon et al., 2024

The tree, nicknamed “Sheba” by researchers, belongs to the genus Commiphora. This family of trees is known for their production of aromatic resins such as myrrh and frankincense. Precious essences in medicinal and religious practices from Antiquity. Under the direction of Dr. Sarah Sallon from the Hadassah Organization's Natural Medicine Research Center in Jerusalem, an international team mobilized the most modern scientific tools: radiocarbon dating, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses.

The characteristics of the Sheba tree: a unique species

Sheba now stands three meters tall, which has allowed researchers to better understand its physical and biological characteristics. It has thin, papery bark, typical of trees of the genus. Commiphora. Its leaves consist of three to five leaflets, slightly hairy. The tree is deciduous, losing its leaves during the cooler months, between December and April. By wounding the bark, a small quantity of clear resin is released. However, unlike other species in the family, Sheba does not give off any notable scent.

DNA analyzes have revealed that this tree shares genetic similarities with certain species from southern Africa. Notably Commiphora angolensis And C. neglecta. But it remains distinct from other known members of this genus. This discrepancy paved the way for the hypothesis that Sheba may be an extinct species, once indigenous to the Levant region.

Initially, scientists assumed that Sheba could be a forgotten version of the famous “Balm of Judea” or “Balm of Gilead”. These are resinous substances extremely prized in Antiquity for their medicinal and aromatic properties. These resins, mentioned in numerous historical and biblical texts, were used in religious rituals, medicine and perfumery.

However, the absence of aromatic compounds in Sheba quickly ruled out this hypothesis. Instead, chemical analyzes revealed other potential medicinal properties. The resin and leaves of the tree are rich in pentacyclic triterpenes. We know these compounds for their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and even anti-cancer properties. Additionally, a high level of squalene, a popular compound in skin care, was detected.

Biblical Tsori: A resin with therapeutic virtues

Current research around Sheba has led scientists to reconsider the nature of “tsori”. It is a resin mentioned several times in biblical texts, notably in Genesis, the books of Jeremiah and that of Ezekiel. This substance, historically associated with curative properties, was used in medicinal contexts rather than religious or olfactory ones. Unlike other resins prized for their fragrance, tsori stood out for its therapeutic effectiveness. It was probably taken from a tree native to the region of Gilead, a rich and fertile area east of the Jordan River. At the time, this region was home to plant diversity of which few traces remain today. The rediscovery of Sheba in this same area could therefore constitute an additional clue to identify the source tree of the tsori.

Extensive chemical analyzes conducted on Sheba confirmed the presence of pentacyclic triterpenes, as previously mentioned. This strengthens the hypothesis that the resin of this tree may have been used as a kind of natural remedy in ancient times. Let's also add the presence of squalene for skin care, due to the antioxidant and moisturizing effects of this compound. All these properties suggest that it could be the tsori. But this still requires confirmation.

The mysterious preservation of the seed

Finally, the exceptional preservation of the seed for more than a millennium in a cave in the Judean Desert remains a mystery. Two main theories attempt to explain it. The first hypothesis is based on natural behaviors observed in certain animal species. It is possible that rodents or birds carried this seed into the cave to store them. The remains of these animals, found during archaeological excavations in the region, point us towards this idea. These animals could have deposited the seed in a protected environment, sheltered from bad weather and the extreme climatic conditions of the desert. They would have thus created an environment favorable to the preservation of the seed of the tree for centuries.

The second hypothesis, just as plausible, is that the seed was deliberately hidden by humans. The time in which the seed was planted was experiencing political instability and economic upheaval. It could have led local populations to use the caves as refuges to protect valuable goods. Judas Balsam was once a prominent commercial and medicinal resource. But it had disappeared from the region when this seed was abandoned. It remains possible that seeds of utility species, such as Sheba, were stored safely in caves to preserve these precious resources. Obviously with the intention of using or cultivating them later. The absence of other artifacts associated with the seed, however, makes this theory more difficult to support.

Source: Sallon, S., Solowey, E., Gostel, MR et al., “Characterization and analysis of a Commiphora species germinated from an ancient seed suggests a possible connection to a species mentioned in the Bible”. Common Biol 71109 (2024).