The Tree That Lived Through History
Olive trees are very hardy, drought-, disease- and fire-resistant, and can live for a very long time. Its root system is very robust and capable of regenerating the tree even if the above-ground structure is destroyed. The older an olive tree is, the broader and more gnarled its trunk appears. Many olive trees in the groves around the Mediterranean are said to be several centuries old, and in some cases this has been verified scientifically.
According to a recent scientific survey, there are dozens of ancient olive trees throughout Israel and Biblical Palestine, 1,600-2,000 years old, from even before the rise of Islam. Specifically, two giant olive trees in the town of Arraba and five trees in Deir Hanna, both in the Galilee region, have been determined to be over 3,000 years old.All seven trees continue to produce olives.
The leafy branches of the olive tree - the olive leaf as a symbol of abundance, glory and peace - were used to crown the victors of friendly games and bloody wars. As emblems of benediction and purification, they were also ritually offered to deities and powerful figures; some were even found in Tutankhamen's tomb.
The olive is one of the plants most often cited in literature. In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus crawls beneath two shoots of olive that grow from a single stock. The Roman poet Horace mentions it in reference to his own diet, which he describes as very simple: "As for me, olives, endives, and smooth mallows provide sustenance."
Olive oil has long been considered sacred; it was used to anoint kings and athletes in ancient Greece. It was burnt in the sacred lamps of temples as well as being the "eternal flame" of the original Olympic Games. Victors in these games were crowned with its leaves. Today, it is still used in many religious ceremonies.
The Socio-economic importance today
Olive tree cultivation in the Mediterranean goes back to ancient times. Ever since the Roman Age, olive cultivation spread to the entire Mediterranean basin. This longevous tree integrates and identifies economically, socially, and culturally the inhabitants of this basin and determines its rural landscape. For the residents of the Mediterranean, olive oil constituted the main source of nutritional fats, their most valuable export product, and was identified with their culture. Even now, olive cultivation has a multiple importance for the Mediterranean. The olive groves, which grow mostly on inclined, shallow, and low fertility soils, and on hand-made stone terraces, have limited watering requirements and sustain the fragile natural resources of the Mediterranean. Today, olive cultivation in the Mediterranean is an additional income source and supports the population in rural areas during the winter period.
Although an agro-ecosystem, the olive grove resembles the natural Mediterranean ecosystem and abandonment transforms them into natural Mediterranean type forests. Their change of use from olive cultivation to pasture degrades the ecosystem and decreases the natural resources, because of over-grazing. At this time, two major factors threaten the traditional olive cultivation (i)the competition of the intensive olive groves in plain and irrigated areas and (ii) the cheaper seed-oils, which intensify the abandonment of traditional olive groves and change them into pasture, resulting in the deterioration of the ecosystem. Olive cultivation has left its mark on life in the Mediterranean and has contributed to the sustainability of natural resources. Nevertheless, it succumbs under the pressure of current socioeconomic situations.
Today, the conservation of olives in production constitutes a necessity for the fragile Mediterranean ecosystems and a challenge for everybody involved.
Today, the conservation of olives in production constitutes a necessity for the fragile Mediterranean ecosystems and a challenge for everybody involved.
Olive Tree in the Bible
Over the years, the olive has been the symbol of peace, wisdom, glory, fertility, power and pureness. The olive tree and olives are mentioned over 30 times in the Bible, in both the New and Old Testaments. It is one of the first plants mentioned in the Bible, and one of the most significant. For example, it was an olive leaf that a dove brought back to Noah to demonstrate that the flood was over. The Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem is mentioned several times.
The olive tree itself, as well as olive oil and olives, play an important role in the Bible. Jesus lived most of his life on Earth in the Galilee, which exists as much in faith and legend as in reality, and it holds a central place in the hearts and minds of millions of Christians around the world, for much of Jesus' ministry took place in this part of the Holy Land. Not surprisingly, many pilgrims find here not only sunshine and water, but also the very spirit of Jesus' life and the echoes of his words.
The old Olive trees of the Galilee and the Holy Land are probably the only witnesses today to Jesus and his words.
Painting: Jesus praying near an olive tree in the Gethsemane in Jerusalem
The olive tree itself, as well as olive oil and olives, play an important role in the Bible. Jesus lived most of his life on Earth in the Galilee, which exists as much in faith and legend as in reality, and it holds a central place in the hearts and minds of millions of Christians around the world, for much of Jesus' ministry took place in this part of the Holy Land. Not surprisingly, many pilgrims find here not only sunshine and water, but also the very spirit of Jesus' life and the echoes of his words.
The old Olive trees of the Galilee and the Holy Land are probably the only witnesses today to Jesus and his words.
Painting: Jesus praying near an olive tree in the Gethsemane in Jerusalem