According to the history of the Minoan civilization, the olive tree was first cultivated between 3500 - 2500 BC. On Crete, the olive tree was worshiped as a sacred tree and it was considered to be a symbol of peace, prosperity, knowledge, wisdom and hope. Because of its importance, it was inextricably linked to culture, religion, diet and health.
Artifacts from the Minoan period which we still have today bear witness to the existence of olives from that period:
- Typical are the oval/pear-shaped stone presses with a surrounding channel and outflow, found in Phaestos and Kommos. Baskets or bags with crushed olives were placed in the center of the press, where they were pressed with stone weights that were hanging from a wooden beam.
- intact items and olive tree products, such as olive fruit, seeds etc.,
- paintings depicting olives and olive trees.