The genetic material was extracted from a clay brick used during construction of a royal palace in the ancient city of Kalhu. An inscription on it revealed it belonged to Ashurnasirpal, king of the Mesopotamian Assyria.
After sequencing the extracted DNA, experts identified 34 groups of plants - including birch and cabbage.Dr Troels Arboll, of the University of Copenhagen, described the brick as a"biodiversity time capsule".
It's thought the genetic material was preserved thanks to the fact the brick was never burned, instead left to dry naturally after being made from mud and other materials like straw and animal poo. The brick dates back to a time between when work on the palace, now known as the Northwest Palace at Nimrud, began in 879 BC and when it was completed in 869 BC.
Danmark Seneste Nyt, Danmark Overskrifter
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