Fossils of olive leaves,

dating 50-60 thousand years

However, new fossil findings of olive tree leaves (Olea Europea) dating back 50 to 60 thousand years were discovered by Professor E. Velitzelos along strata of the volcanic crater in Santorini (Thera). Later, on the island of Nisyros, more such findings proved its indigenous existence in the greater region of the Aegean thousands of years ago.

The first inhabitants of Crete, is considered that, besides other crops, they occasionally collected and ate the fruit of the wild olive tree (Olea oleaster), from as far back as the Neolithic Period (6000-3000 BC).

Later on, during the 3rd millennium B.C, the inhabitants of Crete start the cultivation of the olive-tree and during the 2nd millennium proceed to its systematic exploitation.

There was a great number of uses for olive oil in Minoan Crete. It was used either fragranced or not for cosmetic purposes, for religious ceremonies, as a body ointment, as a therapeutic substance, as a lubricant and as fuel for lamps.

Ideogramms depicting the olive tree, its crop and olive oil found in Linear A and B tablets, consist the evidence for Minoan's occupation with the olive tree and its produce, from 1800 BC.

Wall-paintings, tools, installations and inscriptions serve as proof of the importance placed by the Minoans on the production, storage and merchandising of olive oil as far back as 1700 BC.

A bowl of olives (1450 BC) found in a well in the palace of Zakros, Eastern Crete, shows that Cretans of the Minoan Period included olives in their diet.

In the following centuries, between 700 - 400 B.C, the olive and the olive-oil acquired a special importance all over Greece. Philosophers Anaxagoras and Empedocles investigate the history of olive, Aristoteles describes its cultivation, Solon legislates its protection and Platon teaches in its shade.