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All Bahrain Shajarat-al-Hayat (Tree of Life)
AO Edited

Shajarat-al-Hayat (Tree of Life)

This centuries-old tree tells an unusual tale of vegetation and fertility in the desert.

Bahrain

Added By
Alex Timian
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Tree of Life   Alawadhi3000/CC BY-SA 3.0
Tree of Life   Alawadhi3000/CC BY-SA 3.0
  CIA World Factbook/Public Domain
  Zairon/CC BY-SA 4.0
  Zairon/CC BY-SA 4.0
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  Zairon/CC BY-SA 4.0
The Tree of Life   hibbibi / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Impossibly squeezing the moisture from grains of sand, one tree in Bahrain has found a way to thrive in the desert. The Sharajat-al-Hayat or Tree of Life has stood alone in a brutally harsh climate for over 400 years in a remote desert location.

Lacking any visible source of water, the 32-foot mesquite tree has baffled visitors and scientists alike for its entire life as it has continued to grow. Although the mesquite tree is known for holding a great deal of water in its massive root system, there is still no source of water in sight. Even arid vegetation needs water to survive, which makes Bahrain’s Tree of Life even more mysterious.

Without a rational explanation for the tree’s biological success, many have turned to mythology and religion for answers. Some assert that Enki, an ancient god of water in Babylonian and Sumerian mythology, protects the tree. Others still believe the site is the historical location of the Garden of Eden.

Whatever the answer, the tree has shown no sign of dying, and continues to inspire as it stands proudly in the tiny desert nation. Only a mile from the tree is the hazy Jebel Dukhan, the highest point in Bahrain. From 440 feet above sea level, the hill allows for a true appreciation of the barren landscape in which this tree has thrived.

Related Tags

Plants Natural Wonders Nature Trees Deserts Flora

Community Contributors

Added By

atimian

Edited By

aribrown, hibbibi, Michelle Cassidy, BspSlp

  • aribrown
  • hibbibi
  • Michelle Cassidy
  • BspSlp

Published

July 10, 2011

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Sources
  • Wikipedia: Tree of Life, Bahrain: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_of_Life,_Bahrain
  • Gulf News: "Bahrain's Tree of Life Ranks High on Seven Wonders List" (May 2005): http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/bahrain/bahrain-s-tree-of-life-ranks-high-on-seven-wonders-list-1.2015
Shajarat-al-Hayat (Tree of Life)
Musakar Highway
Bahrain
25.993666, 50.583519

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Bahrain Oil Well No. 1

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