#OLIVE TREES AND CULTURAL HERITAGE: A Brief History
Updated: Feb 18, 2023
As a cultural artifact, the olive tree has been handed down through the ages. It represents strength, adaptability, and hope. The olive tree has given humanity food, clothing, and medicine for thousands of years. It reminds us of our common humanity and ties to the natural world.
1. What are olives?
The fruit of a little tree called an olive tree is produced worldwide in warm areas. They appear in various hues and forms, but most are black or dark brown. They typically have a round, slightly flat shape and a diameter of a few millimeters to a couple of centimeters.
2. The history of olives in human heritage
One of the oldest trees on the planet is the olive tree. One of the earliest domesticated plants in the world, the olive, dates to the prehistoric period.
Olive cultivation was widespread in ancient Egypt, and there is proof of olive presses in Meidum, Dashur, Saqqara, and other places. According to historical documents, olive oil was formerly produced in more than 50 Egyptian villages and towns and shipped to Rome. The oil extracted from this cold-pressed species of olive is richer in flavor than its frequently ignored Mediterranean equivalent, even if it is more expensive. It is also worth mentioning that the color is golden, and the taste is softer.
The Egyptians created a highly professional society in all olive fields, including engineering, medicine, and architecture. They also developed hydropower and irrigation methods, enabling extensive agriculture.
I want to mention it here as well. Women in ancient Egypt were in charge of the olive harvest and crushing, with up to half of the output going toward personal consumption.
From ancient Egypt and Greece to the Middle East and Europe, the olive has played a significant part in cultures and civilizations worldwide.
3. The importance of olives in heritage.
After the ancient Egyptians, The first people to gather and store olive oil for use in food, medicine, and cosmetics were the ancient Greeks. One of the first uses of liquid fuel besides cooking and heating was for lighting, which they also did. The thousands of olive oil dishes discovered at archaeological locations, notably the kiln of the Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi, testify to the importance of olives in the ancient Greek diet. Since the time of the ancient Greeks, the world has significantly transformed.
Today, every grocery shop globally has a range of items made from olives.
4. The importance of olives in health.
The globe over, people are aware of the health benefits of olives.
Making olive oil and other items like salad dressing and bread spread is the most popular use of olives.
Scientific journals and nutrition-related websites have been writing about the health advantages of olive oil for years.
It is impossible to exaggerate the value of olives to human health.
They are a great source of the health-promoting unsaturated fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential component of the omega-3 fatty acid family. In addition, they are a great source of vitamin C and other essential elements.
Click the link below to learn about olive nutrition facts and health benefits.
5. The importance of olives in business.
One of the most traded commodities in the world is olive oil. It is a widely traded commodity and a premium cooking oil utilized by cosmetic and food makers. West Africa or the Mediterranean region accounts for more than 99% of EVOO production in the modern world.
There are three main ways to invest in olives: purchasing, producing, or exchanging.
6. Maraqi oasis as olives cultural heritage project
The idea of Maraqi oasis started in 2012 in Siwa oasis in the western desert of Egypt. There are many reasons why I decided to grow olives in the desert. The main reason is that I wanted to create a sustainable business that would provide healthy food for people in the area. Olives are a healthy food source that is rich in nutrients and antioxidants. They are also a low- maintenance crop that does not require a lot of water to grow.
I also wanted to create a business that would give back to the community, so I grew more olives in Siwa to preserve the cultural heritage of Siwa. I can see most of the cultural heritage of Siwa by just spending one day in my olive oasis, like singing, dressing, building, and traditional harvesting. I am passionate about helping others, and I knew that growing olives in the desert would allow me to do that. I have been able to create jobs for locals and provide healthy food for people in the area, and I will expand my business in the future to produce furniture from pruning waste of olive trees.
I also plan to organize trips for other nationalities to visit Siwa so they can experience the cultural heritage of Siwa and press their extra virgin olive oil themself, which will help the community and support the handcrafted people of the oasis.
You can read more about the Maraqi oasis project by clicking the link down below:
7. Conclusion:
Olives are a crucial part of heritage and culture. Olives are a common food item and hold the same value for many other cultures as they do for us. Olive trees are a significant source of antioxidants and are also substantial in cultural history. Olives can be a nutritious food and a delectable snack, and it is one of the most traded commodities in the world.
The concept of the Maraqi oasis is excellent since it benefits the neighborhood and the artisans that live there.
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