By: Thomas Affatato
Certified Olive Oil Consultant, Italian Culinary Institute, New York, N.Y.
The Olive Tree in History
The olive tree is a plant capable of living up to 3,000 years and new growth can arise from its roots when the top of the tree has been damaged. Its wood is comparable to hard stone and from its fruit is made an oil that can be served as food, used for illumination, as a therapeutic substance to cure numerous ailments and diseases, and even as a “magical” substance in religious and secular rituals since the beginnings of humanity.
It is not surprising; therefore, that this plant has become a symbol of longevity, fertility, and wisdom, and that a magical aura has been created around it. In all advanced civilizations of antiquity, we find stories, legends, and myths that make reference to the olive tree and the oil, which is produced from it. In order for the Pharaohs to pass unharmed into the afterlife, they had to be crowned with olive leaves. The Spartans buried the deceased on a bed of olive branches and they decorated the tombs with garlands of olive leaves and flowers. The dove sent by Noah to find dry land after the flood returned with an olive branch (a symbol of peace). The Greeks minted coins depicting an owl (a symbol of wisdom) and olive branches; the Romans decorated kings, emperors, and victorious warriors with crowns fashioned from olive branches, symbol of eternity.
Olive oil has always represented more then just a basic food source for the peoples of the Mediterranean: it is a source of illumination, a remedy, a magical substance, a source of riches and power, and it has fascinated our forefathers just as it continues today to fascinate those who “discover” its seemingly infinite virtues. Modern science has proven scientifically correct the “legendary” and “magical” positive properties that have been attributed to olive oil in the course of the centuries. In times now long past, olive oil was even used to treat leprosy and to massage the skin of elephants so as to keep it healthy: today, at the doorstep of the new millennium, the therapeutic applications of olive oil range from the prevention and cure of degenerative and cardiac diseases, arthritis, digestive dysfunction, diabetes, and many others, not to mention its numerous cosmetic applications for skin and hair.
Until a few centuries ago, olive oil represented a major source of illumination for humanity. Examples of magnificent oil lamps from different eras have been uncovered, in fact, in archeological digs. The use of olive oil in the consecration of rulers is yet another example of how it has been valued for its magical and supernatural properties. Lastly, olive oil represents a fundamental element of the Mediterranean diet and the diverse organoleptic properties of the many varieties are one of the principal ingredients of common dishes as well as the most refined recipes.
History of the Olive Tree
Prehistoric findings show the existence of the progenitor of the olive tree in Italy since the Tertiary period, almost 1 million years ago. Olive pits have been found in settlements from different epochs: at Menton (on the French Riviera) dating back to 35,000-8,000 years B.C.E.; at El Garcel (in Spain) dating back to the Neolithic Era, 8,000-2,700 B.C.E.; and at Lake Garda in Italy dating back to the Bronze Era 1,500-1,000 B.C.E.\
The olive tree spread through the Mediterranean from east to west. The first phase spans 5,000 B.C.E. to 1,400 B.C.E. and reaches its apex around 2,000 B.C.E. when the olive tree of Crete propagates in Syria and Palestine, where the most ancient civilizations originated.
Crete, the pearl of the eastern Mediterranean, inhabited since the seventh millennium B.C.E., heralded the greatest period of the olive tree history during the beginning of the third millennium B.C.E. The lords and inhabitants of the lavish palaces were priest0kings. Their riches were based on the production and sale of olive oil exported to Egypt where it was widely used as food and for cosmetic purposes. The clay tablets that speak of fruit and olive orchards are true libraries of the palaces. They give us and actual ledger of the administration of the palace, with names of places of production and destinations for the oil. From ancient documents that have survived the millennia, it is clear how the production and sale of olive oil flourished. Another example of this is a recovered ship with olive branches imprinted on a terra-cotta seal. The export of olive oil was down by ship filled with pithoi, vases, and goatskins or in the ancient Egyptians to store precious oils.
A wall painting found in the tomb of Ramses III (1184-1153 B.C.E.) in the Valley of Kings at Luxor shows a two-handled vase in the kingdom of the dead used to contain olive oil. Among the gifts in the tomb of Tutankhamun (circa 1,325 B.C.E.), archeologists discovered olive leaves as decoration for a silver cup. Olive branches were also used to mark the passing of judgment in the afterlife, and are even used in the garland of innocence that crowns the funeral mask of the king. During the funeral, the necks of the priests were wrapped with garlands of flowers and olive branches.
The Philistines, another people who lived along the coast connecting Egypt and Palestine (from which it got its name), produced oil for illumination and the ointments exported to the land of the Nile. Not far from Tel Aviv, and American-Israeli expedition discovered an enormous factory for the production of olives with almost one hundred presses and grinders designed by the Philistines. It can be considered one of the most exceptional industrial complexes of antiquity, capable of producing 1,000 – 2,000 tons of oil per year.
The second phase of the dissemination of the olive tree begins around 1,500 B.C.E. throughout Greece and its islands. Archeological excavations show us how this cultivation has ancient roots. Tablets have been found reporting detailed lists of spices and flavorings that could be added to the oil to make ointments (like fennel, celery, watercress, mint, sage, rose, etc.).
References to the cultivation and the uses of the olive tree are found in the Iliad and the Odyssey in which Homer calls olive oil “liquid gold.” Ulysses’ wedding bed was made of wood from an olive tree and descriptions of olive trees are found throughout the story. Even the solid, gnarly maces and clubs of the ancients, like that of the Cyclops, were made with wood from olive trees, just like the club of Hercules.
Olive oil served as an ointment that gave strength and vitality to heroes and horses. It was believed, in fact, that olive oil also rejuvenated those who applied it.
The myth of the founding of Athens tells us that a challenge had been made among the gods of who could give the most precious thing. Athena, god of wisdom, planted the first olive tree: for millennia it was to give human beings marvelous oil for food preparations and the care of the body, healing of diseases and the illumination of dwellings. This is how Athena assured herself victory and became protector of the city that owes her its name.
The cultivation of the olive tree extended throughout the Peloponese and the cutting down of the trees was prohibited. In honor of Athena, the Panathenian games were held in Athens starting in 566 B.C.E. The winners of the games were rewarded with money, gold and silver medals, and beautifully decorated vases filled with olive oil. Even in other parts Greece, competitions were held in close connection with olive trees. In Olympia Games were held in honor of Zeus.
The winners were crowned with olive branches and athletes massaged their bodies with olive oil. The practice of preparing ointments with olive oil mixed with herbs and flowers to oil one’s body and hair was common among the Greeks and the Romans. The oil forms an “isolating” form over the skin and protects it from dust, protecting it from both the cold and solar rays.
The third phases of the spreading of the cultivation of the olive tree throughout the Mediterranean, including Spain and the African coast. Olive oil became an important economic and commercial factor and its jurisdiction fell under the public administration.
Many scholars of both Roman and Greek history have studied the spreading of the cultivation of the olive tree and by doing so they have made a significant contribution to the knowledge of the nature of soil, climate, and the propagation most suitable for this plant. In their studies, we can find useful information on the type of harvest and pressing that show how the principles of olive oil are still the same today, regardless of technological advancement.
The most ancient and important mention of the olive in the Bible is that which refers to the flood in the time of Noah: the dive’s return with the olive branch marked the receding of the waters.
But references to the olive tree and to olive oil are found throughout the story of Christ, whose very name means “the anointed one,” that is, “anointed with olive oil.” There are numerous example of the use of holy oil among the Hebrew people, ointments, and perfumes, and the Garden of Gethsemane, or Olive Garden, holds particular meaning for the Christian tradition.
The olive tree, symbol of abundance, glory and peace, has been used to crown the winners of peaceful games and cruel wars, and the oil made from its fruit has consecrated the heads of heads of state.
Today, as in the past, olive oil has not only a preeminent importance in the field of food but also in cosmetics and health. One of the precepts of Columella, scholar of the first century, reads as follows: olea prima omnium arborum est, “the olive tree is first among all trees.   Infinite Health Resources does not at any point, for any circumstances suggest that you do not follow or stop medical advice of your physician. We do not advocate any drugs that has not been prescribed by your physician, nor suggest that we are medical doctors nor are we giving medical advice. Infinite Health Resources is here purely as a resource. |
