History of Olive

The olive has a deep-rooted history dating back approximately 8,000 years, deeply ingrained in human history. This sacred tree, which frequently appears in legends, has had an important place in the cultures of many civilizations, from Noah's Flood to Ancient Greece, from Egypt to Rome.

In archaeological excavations on the island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea, fossil olive seeds and leaves dating back to 3700 BC were found. However, it is not known for sure where and by whom the olive tree was first domesticated. The olive trees grown today are more productive varieties obtained by grafting wild species.

Olive cultivation began in Anatolia around 4000 BC and spread to other parts of the Mediterranean from there. Seedlings taken from Anatolia were planted on the island of Crete, and this island became the center of olive culture in the Mediterranean for three thousand years. Olive oil production techniques, storage methods and trade developed on this island; the Cretan people exported the olive oil they produced to other countries. In excavations carried out in Crete, important documents related to olive oil production, storage jars and wall drawings depicting the olive harvest were found in the ruins of the palaces of Knossos and Phaistos.

In ancient Greek mythology, Athena, the goddess of wisdom, was seen as the protector of the olive tree. While Aristotle provided extensive information about olives, Plato emphasized in his works that olive oil was a unique food source. At that time, Athenians consumed approximately 30 liters of olive oil per person per year.

In 1035 BC, Saul, the first king of the Israelites, was blessed by having olive oil smeared on his head. This event gave rise to a phrase still used in Hebrew today, “like pure olive oil,” to describe people of sound character.

The olive trade led to the construction of special ships in the Mediterranean, and over time this trade spread throughout the world. The Spanish were the ones who introduced the olive to the American continent. Spanish missionaries carried the olive tree first to Mexico, then to California and South America in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Throughout history, the olive tree has been the symbol of wisdom and victory, the olive branch of peace, and olive oil of purity and simplicity.