4,000-year-old jug holds seeds of flower found nowhere else

A remarkable archaeological find at Külhöyük has unveiled the oldest seed remains of 'love flower’, housed in a 4,000-year-old Hittite jug. The species, Centaurea tchihatcheffii, is currently endangered in Turkey, prompting immediate conservation initiatives. This discovery not only emphasizes the plant's ancient roots but also highlights the modern ecological challenges it faces amidst growing urban development and agricultural practices.