| 6000 B.C. |
The olive tree
is first cultivated in Syria. |
| 3000 B.C. |
Traders from the Middle East
bring the tree and knowledge of its cultivation to Asia Minor, Cyprus,
Greece and North Africa. |
| 2000 B.C. |
Ancient
Israelites set aside olive oil as a tithe to God, and use the oil for
lighting consecrated lamps in the temples and in preparing anointing
oil. |
| 1700 B.C. |
The olive tree is introduced to
Egypt by traders from the Middle East. Tutankhamen wears a garland of
olive branches as a mark of honor. |
| 1500 B.C. |
Olive oil
becomes a major commodity in the trade of Crete. |
| 1000 B.C. |
For the Greeks, olives and olive
oil are not only important foods but also symbols of holiness, courage
and life. |
| 400 B.C. |
The Greeks are
major exporters of olive oil to western Mediterranean countries
including Italy, France and Spain. |
| 100 A.D. |
Romans are expert producers of
cured olives and olive oil, developing several different types of oil
for cooking. |
| 325 A.D. |
Constantine
the Great establishes the Byzantine Empire, and the religious, culinary
and economic importance of olive oil flourishes. |
| 1300 A.D. |
Olive oil is a food staple among
the cultures throughout the Mediterranean world. |
| 1503 A.D. |
Spanish
explorers bring olive tree plants to the Americas. |
| 1600 A.D. |
Olive trees are grown in Peru,
the West Indies, Chile, Argentina and Mexico. |
| 1785 A.D. |
Franciscan missionaries bring the olive tree to Alta California, Mexico (present-day California, United States). |
| 1920 A.D. |
European
immigrants to the U.S. incorporate olive oil in American cooking. |
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