The seed was found during excavations in Masada, and is believed to be the oldest ever germinated. The researchers hope to take advantage of its medicinal properties
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Israeli researchers say they have succeeded in growing a date palm from a 2,000-year-old seed. The seed was found during excavations at Masada. This is what the BBC reports in the news that is also quoted in Walla news!
Scientists involved in the project believe this is the oldest seed ever germinated. Researchers in Jerusalem named the tree "Methuselah", after the biblical personality, on which it is written that he lived for almost 1,000 years.
The BBC reported that the date palm is a variety that was almost extinct during the Middle Ages, which was known to have medicinal properties. His height now is almost 30 cm.
Sarah Salon, from the Lewis Burick Natural Medicine Research Center in Jerusalem, said that one of the leaves of the tree was sent for testing. Dates were used "very much in ancient times against various infections and tumors", said Salon, "we invest all our efforts in researching plants with medicinal properties, and we believe that ancient medicines from the past may be the medicines of the future".
Scientists hope that the palm will reveal the secrets of its past if it continues to grow.
For news at the BBC
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