Credit: Molecular Biology and EvolutionThe oldest known seeds from a watermelon relative, dating back 6,000 years to the Neolithic period, were found during an archaeological dig in Libya. "These seeds were a riddle because they were thought to be the oldest true watermelon seeds," Chomicki said. They discovered that the oldest seeds came from a plant known as an egusi melon, a watermelon relative that is currently restricted to western Africa. "Both plant 'fossils' were C-14 dated and, as far as we know, are among the oldest plant genomes ever obtained," Renner said. "This study documents the use of the seeds (rather than the fruit) of a watermelon relative more than 6,000 years ago, prior to the domestication of the watermelon."

Source: Libya Today August 01, 2022 16:17 UTC