The lotus seeds lie hidden within layers of peat, yet, under the scrutiny of scientists, these “thousand-year-old lotus seeds” have indeed germinated and begun a new life.
During an excavation in Liaoning, China, researchers accidentally discovered several ancient lotus seeds concealed in peat layers. Remarkably, these “thousand-year-old lotus seeds” have successfully sprouted and started anew.
Ancient lotus seeds can indeed sprout, but they develop differently from the lotus flowers we see today. (Illustrative image).
In the mid-1970s, scientists also found these thousand-year-old lotus seeds in other locations, and ultimately succeeded in germinating them through technological cultivation.
After extensive research, it was found that most of these accidentally discovered ancient lotus seeds were between 830 and 1250 years old, making them the oldest seeds we currently have access to, which astonished scientists. But how do these ancient lotus seeds manage to live for so long? It’s hard to believe that after being buried for a thousand years, they can still sprout?
In response to this question, Ms. Shen, an American botanist, conducted a study where she placed two ancient lotus seeds, approximately 500 years old, in a laboratory for cultivation. Only one seed successfully germinated, but after three months, the other seedling died. Three years later, another scientist attempted the research again and finally succeeded in germinating the ancient lotus seed.
These two ancient seeds were found to be 408 and 466 years old at the time of discovery, but scientists had another suspicion regarding this: ancient lotus seeds can indeed sprout, but they develop differently from the lotus flowers we see today and adapt to modern environments.
The outer shell of ancient lotus seeds is extremely hard, akin to stone, preventing air from penetrating. The seeds are well-protected, so external factors cannot harm them, and moisture cannot escape. This makes ancient lotus seeds very resilient, allowing them to remain dormant underground for extended periods, akin to hibernation, and they will grow, sprout, and bloom again when the right conditions arise.
