Marda, how generous of you to bring this to our attention. You are right that this is a wondrous plant that links us to human as well as natural history.

That's the particular 2000 year old seed, sprouted? Wow. I'm awestruck.

I wonder if he could germinate the seeds which are 8+ years old in my fridge? (I have loads of partially used pacakges that I've kept because I grew the plant, loved them, then left them behind (Dang it!), but still want to germinate more)

Seeds last a whole lot longer than those in the trade would lead us to believe. I heard a lecture from the man who owns Wildseed Farms in Kerrville about 6 years ago and he said that the viability of wildflower seeds was commonly 7 - 10 years. That made me feel a whole lot better about teh seeds that have been sitting in a manila envelope in my closet for the past five years.

However, a date palm from the reign of King Herrod is truly awesome.

I wonder in what circumstances the archeologist found those seeds. Whether in a cool dry tomb, in the soil, in a chest of some ancient seed-saver equivalent to our manila envelopes? LOL.

I can't think of any other word except humbling to describe what I feel when I see a seed, holding on to the promise of life for two millennium. I also am anticipating seeing someday resurrections of some extinct flora or fauna through salvaging of surviving DNA.

Yes, some very common seeds have the potential to survive longer than a human lives. When we excavated a hillside to install a 1.5K water reservoir for our spring runoff, the next spring a small forest of canna lilies magically appeared all over that hill. They were not volunteers off any of my canna, as I had none on the property at this point. I had the priviledge of talking to an eldery lady down the road, who once lived in this house as a child. She related that her mother had once had a canna bed in that vicinity. Those seeds had to have been buried and lay dormant, safe under the frost line for at least seventy years before they sprouted after a backhoe unearthed them. In the same vein, she also was taken back at the circular flower bed we had dug and planted in the center of the front of the house. I had planted an assortment of annuals there, but in addition to those, an abundance of common purply-pink petunias came up. Those were what her mother had in the bed when she lived here. Coincidence? I think not.

I hope the little plant makes it...I couldn't help but wonder if the archaeologist might have had dates for a snack and the seeds got filed away in error by his secretary...lol

I thought I remembered Lotus seed from ancient Egyptian tombs being germinated and the wonderment it caused but when I went Googling, seems there's been questions raised. Interesting info re Canna though (600 years), Suzy. Canna seeds and lotus seeds are both very hard surfaced and it's best to use a rasp or nailcutter to nick a bit of the outer covering so moisture can penetrate. Maybe Datepalm seeds are similar?

I think David Attenborough in one of his marvelous shows told of a tropical tree seed so impenetrable that only by passing thru some particular exotic animal's gut would it germinate. There are other wonders of symbiotic relationships out there. The first time I read of the fig wasp I decided not to eat any more figs...LOL And the Yucca moth is equally fascinating. josh

Here is a link that might be useful: Seed Longevity

Marda, i hope they keep the baby palm away from the "Naked Archeologist" He would'nt be able to stop talking about it and the show would go on till the tree died of old age. I try not to miss his show. i love his enthuseasm and imagination and i manage to learn something.
That plant is more amazing than genitic enginering. Don't think i've spelled anything right tonight so guess i better quit.

Who is the Naked Archeologist? Sounds like someone I'd really enjoy..well,I mean listening to him. LOL

Suzy, I love your story of plowing up old seeds & having them sprout. This happens to me all the time but unfortunately what I'm bringing up from the depths is mostly weeds.

Those old-fashioned petunias are wonderful. I favor them here over the hybrid varieties, not only for their ability to vigorously self-seed, but also because they can stand the heat so much better than the modern ones. As for the cannas, I threw a bunch on the burn pile about 5 years ago. They have been subjected to flame multiple times but keep coming back bigger & better than ever.

LOL, Andie. Is that what you'd call a baptism by fire?

Marda,
The Naked Archeologist is on the History channel. He's an Israli archeologist interested in the Jewish history in the middle east. He mixes his show with a wild imagination and facts and films from the actual places he's talking about. I beleive the name of show came from the fact he shows you the actual places.The last show i watched was about how the ancient jews made the rich blue dyed fabrics they wore and sold ,with people that still do so today.

Marda, this is somehow a wonderfully hopeful discovery. I'm encouraged by it.

I wonder if this fig needs to be pollinated to reproduce and finally, after all of this time, to continue it's line.