2,000-Year-Old Ancient Seeds Sprout in Palestine, Reviving the Lost Legacy of Judean Date Palms

In an extraordinary archaeological breakthrough, scientists have successfully germinated 2,000-year-old date palm seeds uncovered in the Judean desert of Palestine, offering a glimpse into the region’s agricultural past and reviving a once world-famous species of fruit.

The seeds—named Adam, Jonah, Uriel, Boaz, Judith, and Hannah—were found at several ancient sites across the desert, including the historic Masada fortress and the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were also discovered. These seeds are believed to have come from dates consumed during the time of Jesus Christ.

This isn’t the first time the team has brought ancient seeds back to life. In 2008, they successfully germinated a 1,900-year-old male seed found at Masada. That tree was named Methuselah, after the oldest person mentioned in the Bible. Now, with the discovery of both male and female seeds, the researchers hope to produce dates by pollinating Hannah with Methuselah’s pollen.

The Resurrection of a Historic Crop

While the goal is to revive a legendary fruit, experts caution that the outcome won’t exactly mirror the ancient dates. Dr. Sarah Sallon, director of the Louis Borick Natural Medicine Research Center in Jerusalem, explained:

“It won’t be a typical Judean date. These trees are essentially clones of highly productive female trees from the past.”

Date palms are believed to have been first cultivated over 6,000 years ago in ancient Arabia and Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq). In historical Palestine, these palms played a vital role, both as a staple food and in traditional medicine. They were used to treat ailments like depression, fatigue, and memory loss.

“Dates from Judea were legendary and widely exported,” Sallon said. “Even King Herod would send them as gifts to the emperor in Rome every year.”

However, centuries of conflict and shifting climates led to the disappearance of these plantations by the 1800s.

From Dust to Life

Published in Science Advances, the research details how 32 ancient date seeds were carefully selected and planted. Some had visible insect damage, while others were incredibly well-preserved. “I spent hours sorting through the archaeology department’s seed collections to find the best ones,” Sallon said.

Six of the seeds sprouted successfully. Radiocarbon dating showed that Adam and Hannah date back to between the 4th and 1st centuries BC. Judith and Boaz are from around the 2nd century BC, while Uriel and Jonah date to the 1st or 2nd centuries AD.

Interestingly, some of these ancient seeds are 30% larger than modern varieties, a sign of how agricultural practices and genetics have evolved.

Genetic Echoes of Trade and Exile

Genetic analysis revealed fascinating clues about ancient trade routes and population movements. Adam and Methuselah bear genetic similarities to modern Gulf date varieties, suggesting they may have been brought to Palestine through ancient Red Sea trade networks.

Meanwhile, Hannah and Judith are genetically similar to today’s Iraqi date varieties, possibly linked to the return of Jewish communities from the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BC—many of whom had experience working in date plantations in Babylon.

Uriel, Boaz, and Jonah, on the other hand, showed genetic links to North African varieties, such as those found in modern-day Morocco. This may reflect the influence of Roman occupation, when new cultivars were introduced from across the empire.

Reclaiming a Forgotten Heritage

Beyond the scientific marvel, this achievement represents a profound cultural and historical reconnection for the people of Palestine. By reviving ancient date palms, researchers are not only breathing life into a nearly extinct species—they are also restoring a piece of Palestine’s rich and complex agricultural legacy.

“This is more than just growing a tree,” Sallon said. “It’s about reclaiming history, heritage, and hope.”