theylooklikebigstronghands: Russian scientists have managed to resurrect seeds found frozen in an ancient Arctic ground squirrel’s burrow more than 30 metres underground. The seeds, which are over 30,000 years old and belong to the Ice Age era, were successfully germinated into a fertile plant (Silene stenophylla) that has produced white flowers and viable seeds. This proves that permafrost (soil that remains below freezing point for extended periods of time) can conserve tissue for tens of thousands of years and could potentially help scientists resurrect long-extinct animals such as the woolly mammoth.

theylooklikebigstronghands:

Russian scientists have managed to resurrect seeds found frozen in an ancient Arctic ground squirrel’s burrow more than 30 metres underground.

The seeds, which are over 30,000 years old and belong to the Ice Age era, were successfully germinated into a fertile plant (Silene stenophylla) that has produced white flowers and viable seeds.

This proves that permafrost (soil that remains below freezing point for extended periods of time) can conserve tissue for tens of thousands of years and could potentially help scientists resurrect long-extinct animals such as the woolly mammoth.

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