A study of the oldest known seeds from the watermelon's predecessor reveals some details about
The seeds were found during archaeological excavations in Libya. Scientists have determined that their age is 6000 years.
Researchers generally agree that watermelonscame from Africa, but the question of where and when they were first domesticated remains controversial. The most recent evidence indicates that watermelons originated in the Nile Valley, which is consistent with archaeological evidence.
However, very old seeds found onthe territories of the present-day Sahara desert in Libya seemed to contradict this explanation. Scientists studied the genome of the found ancient plant and came to the conclusion that the Libyans of the Neolithic era ate watermelon with bitter pulp. Moreover, they grew these plants not for the sake of pulp, but for the sake of seeds, which are still eaten dried or fried, used in soups and stews.