Question

Israel's Ancient Olives
Creating Connections Social Studies: World History I



Back in ancient times, olives were very popular. So, where could you find olives? In Israel.

There are about 800 million olive trees in the world today. But back in the 11th century BCE, they were found in only one place: along the Mediterranean Sea. In Israel, oil from the grape-sized fruits was used to light lamps. Olive oil could heal sores. It smoothed skin. The oil was even used as a soap. Of course, olives were also food. They were a key part of the local diet.

Olive oil was the most important product, though. It was very valuable. But making olive oil wasn't easy. First, the olives had to be crushed. That turned them into a sludgy mush. Then, the mush needed to be pressed with great force. Pressing made the oil ooze out.

At first, people rolled round stones to mash the olives. They also stomped on olives with special wooden shoes. Later, there were more high-tech methods. People crushed and pressed olives with huge circular rolling stones pulled by animals. Olives were also squashed with levers that looked like playground seesaws. Giant boulders attached to screws smashed olives, too.

Olive oil became big business in Israel in the ninth century BCE. Entire towns were focused on its production. One town, Ekron, exported its oil as far away as Spain. Ekron had about 35,000 trees and 200 mechanical olive-crushing presses. There were 2,000 people working olive oil jobs. Olives were an important part of business in the Mediterranean. Some of the richest people of the era were part of the olive trade. Olives were very important to Israel. In fact, cutting down the trees was forbidden.

Archaeologists frequently find evidence of Israel's olive-filled past. In 2014, Israeli archaeologists announced that they'd studied pieces of clay pots discovered at a site known as Ein Zippori. The pottery was 8,000 years old. It held traces of olive oil. The pottery might be the earliest evidence of olive oil use in the area. Then there is Kfar Samir. Archaeologists found 7,500-year-old olive stones there.

Today Israel is still in the olive business. Harvest season brings many tourists. There are tours of the old oil presses. People can go to olive-picking events. They can try all the flavors. The trees have become tourist attractions, too. Olive trees are able to withstand fire and drought. They fight off disease. They can live an incredibly long time. Some are over 1,000 years old. Visitors may feel like they're experiencing the same sights, smells, and tastes as the people of ancient Israel.

Question 1


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What is this Article mainly about?

Tourists can still see olive trees and old oil presses.
Archaeologists found pottery pieces at Ein Zippori.
Olive oil production was important in ancient Israel.
People can pick olives during Israel's harvest season.

Answer 1

Olive oil production was important in ancient Israel.