Olea europaea has a long history of cultivation. Archeologists have found evidence of olive stones in fire pits as far back as 6000 to 8000 years ago in [what is now Israel]. Mythology says that Athena created the olive in order to win the favor of the city of Attica. When she struck the ground and the olive tree sprang up, the people were stoked and renamed the city Athens in her honor. Legend says that tree still stands at the Acropolis in Athens today.
But the olive tree is even older than the Chalcolithic. The Fossil Guy, found this 60,000 year old fossilized olive leaf on the island of Santorini.
According to the NIH, we have good reason to revere the olive:
“The plant materials and isolated components have shown a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities like antidiabetic, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antiviral, antihypertensive, anticancer, antihyperglycemic, antinociceptive, gastroprotective, and wound healing activities.”
Among the most famous olive trees in the world are those in Puglia in Italy. The olive trees in this region are ancient, with the oldest rumored to be three thousand years old. In 2013 the trees were designated a Cultural Heritage Cite by UNESCO. That same year, the trees began dying. By now, thousands have died, infected by Xylella fastidiosa, a rampant bacteria that causes OQD, or Olive Quick Decline, for which there is no cure.
Olive leaves are said to bring luck, fertility, prosperity, and protect against witchcraft.
If you’re into experiments, Cassell’s dictionary of Superstitions says that putting a drop of olive oil in a bowl of water can alert you to the presence of demons. If the drop splits into two, you’ve got demons, babe. Time to start making deals.
I have a little dwarf olive tree living on my balcony. It’s a pretty low maintenance plant. It loves sun and just needs to be watered when it’s dry. Where I live, in zone 10a, my little tree can handle being outdoors all year, even thriving through triple digit heat waves.
Stay tuned, for out of this research I’ll pull my inspiration… for a terrifying tale.
Olives are amazing; I remember Olive Drive in Davis with olives growing all along the street on both sides. I always wanted to pick and brine them when I was there.😂
It's too cold for olives here in New Mexico but if I could I'd grow some. They're weeds in the right climate and the wood is beautiful for accent work or small crafty things.