Date palm buds after 2,000 years

[Colorado Blue]

Israeli researchers say they have succeeded in growing a date palm from a 2,000-year-old seed. The seed was one of several found during an excavation of the ancient mountain fortress of Masada.

Scientists working on the project believe it is the oldest seed ever germinated. Researchers in Jerusalem have nicknamed the sapling Methuselah, after the biblical figure said to have lived for nearly 1,000 years.

Future medicine?

The palm is from a variety that became extinct in the Middle Ages and was reputed to have powerful medicinal properties.

snip

Dates had "an enormous amount of use in ancient times for infections, for tumours" she told the Associated Press news agency.

"We're researching medicinal plants for all we're worth, we think that ancient medicines of the past can be the medicines of the future," she added.

If it continues to thrive, scientists hope the palm will eventually reveal the secrets of its past.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4086348.stm

[benburch]

1. Really old seed tends to germinate but not thrive...

Some seeds from 900+ years ago found in central america were geminated back in the 60s and none of them made it to become a healthy plant.

[Colorado Blue]

2. Still, it's an interesting project. I hope it works! It would be

great if some of the old medicines could be revived.

I believe a great deal of medical knowledge was lost when the libraries at Alexandria were burned, and other destructive acts that plunged the world in the "Dark Ages".

[arcane1]

3. medicinal properties are fine...

but can you get a buzz from it? That's the important question!!

[Colorado Blue]

4. I believe should write to the scientist and ask her:)

I'll volunteer:)