The carbon dating tests used on the Methuselah-named seed, found at the ancient fortress Masada, proved that it really dates back about 2,000 years, just as thought.

The seed belonged to a Judean date palm, once, a common appearance in the Jordan River Valley, which unfortunately has been extinct for centuries.

The previous attempts to grow plants from ancient seeds failed and the successful germination process of the seed three years ago was received with great enthusiasm. At first, the scientists concluded that their plan to break off pieces of the seed needed for carbon dating might slim down their chances of successfully growing the seed so they decided to focus on the growing process. Once it took off and the plant needed a bigger pot, the moving procedure unveiled fragments of the seed, which were sufficient for a proper carbon date attempt.

The three-year-old tree was already grown to about 5 feet (1.5 meters) and could be the determining factor in the restoration process of its species. At this point, its "babysitters" can’t tell whether it is a boy or a girl, as date palms need about six or seven years to develop the differences.

The tree was well known for its fruits and also for its medicinal uses and the restoration could greatly aid several scientific processes.

Dr. Sarah Sallon, director of the Louis L. Borick Natural Medicine Research Center at Hadassah Medical Organization in Israel, is one of the scientists involved in the observation of the tree. She wants to use the media attention received by her project as an opportunity to sound the alarm on a related issue. According to the Associated Press, she said: "Many species are endangered and becoming extinct. Raising the dead is very difficult, so it's better to preserve them before they become extinct."