HISTORY OF THE OLIVE TREE
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 The
olive tree originally comes from the ancient Mesopotamia, from where
it spread over the rest of the countries.
There are archaeological sources which tell us about the use of olive
oil for the lighting of Egyptian temples more than 5000 years ago.
Statues of gods, the
sceptres of the kings, tabernacles and battle equipment of the heroes
were carved from olive wood.
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Perfumed olive oil was
of ten used for baths and the preparation of mummies.
Besides, wreaths of olive branches made between 980 and 715 B.C., were
found in the tombs of several Pharaoes.
Over the centuries, to
be precise in the Phoenecian times, olive oil was called liquid gold.
The olive tree was the widest-spread tree and it was protected by strict
laws; at worst, somebody who dared to pull out more than two olive trees,
could be punished with exile and confiscation of all his personal goods.
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According to mythology,
Athena (the goddess of wisdom) let the olive tree grow form a
spear, in order to provide the people with the necessary food
and to heal their wounds.
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The olive tree
was a symbol of peace, victory and life. It was considered the
tree of Pertility, so women slept in its shade when they wanted
to become pregnant.
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On the Iberian
Peninsula the existence of the olive tree dates back to prehistoric
times; olive stones have been found in the neolithic settlement
of ´´El Galcel´´.
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During the Roman Empire
the olive tree was of great socio-economic importance.
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In the era of the
Catholic Kings ´´gazpacho´´ already existed.
As it is made with oil and vinegar it formed a basic part of the
Mediterranian diet above all in Extremadura and Andalucia.
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| With
the discovery of America, olive tree were taken to this continent
and started growing in countries with the adequate climate and soil
for this historical tree. |
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