George Mason University scientist identifies 1,000-year-old seedling linked to biblical Myrrh

Andrea Weeks, associate professor in the Department of Biology and director of the Ted R. Bradley Herbarium, played a key role in identifying an ancient seedling revived by a team of researchers, linked to the biblical myrrh, a yellow and fragrant resin from the Commiphora tree.

The team successfully germinated a 1,000-year-old seed belonging to the myrrh genus Commiphora, discovered in the Judean desert, using comparative genetic techniques offering new insights into ancient plant species. Lead researcher and physician at Hadassah University Medical Center in Jerusalem, Sarah Sallon, asked Weeks to join the project because of her expertise in the evolutionary biology of Commiphora. Weeks’ extensive DNA sequence database played an instrumental role in analyzing the genetic makeup of the ancient specimen. Morgan Gostel, Weeks’ former PhD student and current research botanist at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, played a critical role in this research. The study’s findings could significantly influence future research on biodiversity by enhancing our understanding of historical flora and their evolution within current ecosystems.

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While the team confirmed the seedling’s genus, they have yet to pinpoint its precise species. “Its exact species remains unclear, highlighting the need for further biodiversity research. No lab has yet tested every species of Commiphora,” said Weeks.

One of the most puzzling aspects of the discovery is the seed’s location. Found in a Levantine cave, the seed had been preserved for centuries in an area far outside the modern range of Commiphora. “Radiocarbon dating reveals that this seed formed long after biblical times, but it doesn’t explain how or why it ended up in a cave in the Judean desert 800 to 1,000 years ago,” Weeks noted.

Funding from previous grants awarded to Weeks by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) helped lay the groundwork for her involvement and impact in this discovery of the ancient seed, which the researchers selected to call Sheba. “The use of NSF-funded data in identifying Sheba shows how foundational research can have lasting, unexpected benefits,” she said.

The interdisciplinary nature of the research, combining archaeology, ethnobotany, chemistry, and plant taxonomy, contributed to the team’s success. Moving forward, Weeks and her lab plan to deepen their exploration of Commiphora diversity.“Like most scientific inquiries, 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 life’s interconnectedness across time.”