5 SEEDS OF BIBLICAL OLIVE TREES FROM @ 2,000 YEARS
FROM JERUSALEM, ON THE WAY TO THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE THROUGH THE GATE DUNG, THE CLOSEST TO THE HOLY PLACE
The olive trees in the garden of Gethsemane seem to date back to the 12th century, planted by the Crusaders and are of the Olea europaea species.
These other seeds are from olive trees located on both sides of the Dung Gate, which is the only gate left from the time of Nehemiah who rebuilt the wall @ 2500 years ago. That is why these are probably older than the other forgetfulnesses. Anyway, there are lots of olive trees that go from that door, down to the Jewish Cemetery and up to the Mount of Olives.
"A piece of the Holy Land in your backyard"
Olives are one of the seven “native” fruits with which the land of Israel is blessed.
In Deuteronomy 8:8, the definition of a good land is given:
such a land is one in which there is enough water and wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey.
According to the Bible, olive trees were grown in the land we now call Israel even before the settlement of the Israelites. (Deuteronomy 6:11).
Olive trees are also very long-lived.
Olives and olive branches are an ancient symbol of peace. In Genesis 8:11, a dove brings an olive branch to Noah after the flood.
This is a symbol that life is returning to the earth.
The study of one of the most sacred places for Christians was commissioned by Custodia Terrae Sanctae,
a group of Franciscan missionaries who maintain and study ancient monuments in the Holy Land associated with Jesus Christ.
The study on eight olive trees in the garden began in 2009 and has involved several Italian researchers and professors.
including Giovanni Gianfrate, an expert on the history of olive trees in the Mediterranean region.
The research found that three of the eight trees date back to the mid-12th century and that parts of their roots were even older.
The garden was reorganized by the Crusaders between 1150 and 1170.
The analysis found that all eight trees had "similar genetic profiles," which the researchers said meant they were all related to a single tree.
Cuttings from that oldest tree were planted in the 12th century, the scientists said at a press conference at the Vatican.
Franciscan monk Pierbattista Pizzaballa, known as the "custodian" of the Holy Land, said the olive trees were “testament to a deeply rooted faith.”