Who achieved to obtain more abundant, less bitter, bigger and oily olive berries by fertilizing this wilding and to use it in daily life by squeezing its oil thousand years before? Definitely, nobody knows this scientifically. Only assumptions exist apart from legends. Jose M. Blazquez- the world-wide prestigious writer of The World Olive Encyclopedia- argues that “olive cultivation began in Anatolia approximately six thousand years ago” and points out that only Assyrians and Babylonians did not have any knowledge on olive cultivation among the peoples that lived in this region in ancient times. However, the people who domesticated the olive for the first time must be those that lived on the curve where Syria and Iran intersects in Asia Minor, the cradle of civilizations where many fruit trees like grape, fig, punica, date palm were grown: Persians, Mesopotamians and most probably Syrians and Palestinians who spreaded until Mesopotamia through the eastern part of Mediterranean. The fact that the oldest remnants with regard to olive cultivation in the Near East dates back to the chalcolitic period (bc 3700-3200) in Israel and Jordan supports this argument.

These peoples fertilized wild olive tree thanks to their aptitude for agriculture and trade and skills. They turned these trees into a culture plant that has more leaves and that yields more oil by taking care of them well, reproduced them, developed them along the Mediterranean coast line and then spreaded them to other regions. Olive turned into a culture plant around B.C. 4000s. However, its fruit was squeezed and oil was obtained after approximately 1500-2000 thousand years. In fact, the fact that olive growing became more widespread in the Mediterranean in Bronze Age is not only inferred from artistic works that are reflected to olive seeds but also from oil presses, kept containers, vases and frescos

…After many centuries, olive tree has transcended oceans. Following the big discoveries made in 16th century, it was grown in Northern and Southern America through Spanish missionaries coming from Europe. In 15th century, olive seedlings brought from Sevilla were first planted in Western Indian Islands by the Spanish and was later spreaded through America. To Mexico in 1560 and later to Peru. In second half of 19th century, seedlings brought by Italian immigrants were planted in California, Chile and Argentina. After that, thanks to immigrants of Italian, Spanish and Greek origin, olive groves were established in Australia and South Africa. Even, olive tree that can only be planted and grown in certain micro climates in Japan and China stayed Mediterranean in essence again.

Anatolia in Ancient Period
Anatolia, extension of Asia Minor to the West, getting acquainted with olive dates back to very old eras. Perhaps the ship of Noah did not land on Mount Ararat when the pigeon gave the good news that the flood had ended with olive branch in its mouth? In fact, even today the skirts of Toros Mountains that lie in parallel to the Mediterranean beginning from Mersin towards the west is covered with thick wild olive trees that is called ryegrass For example, along Mersin, Silifke-Erdemli coasts and to the west in Antalya between Serik and Manavgat, very regular ryegrasses that seem like they were planted by hand can be found. Nuri Benlioğlu says that “…These may be olive groves that were cultivated 2000 years ago and were afterwards abandoned. However, one thing is certain: we can encounter the densest ryegrasses f the world in this part of our country”. She cannot be deemed unjust. Thus, wild olive trees that disappeared by themselves in the Aegean region, easily prove that this geography is one of the homelands of olives.

Olive Oil in Mythology
We see that olive, olive oil and oil tree are mentioned in mythological stories frequently. All of them highlight the importance of this tree and its fruits. Here is one of them:
Virgin Minevra (Latin name of the Goddess Athena) which is goddess of Wisdom, Enlightenment, skill and handcrafts and God of the Sea Neptune (Poseidon) take part in the contest organized by Jupiter (the God of Olympus) to be the goddess of the city of Athens. Jupiter declares that it would grant the city of Athens to the one presenting him the useful present that incorporates mankind. Neptune forms a salty lake (sea) on the Athens acropolis while Minevra forms an olive tree. Minevra says that this plant is an ointment that can heal wounds of mankind, a delicious nutrient that includes lots of energy and a flame that can lighten up the darkness. Jupiter grants administration of Athens to Minevra who presents it the olive tree which is more useful than the sea. Persians burn down the olive tree on the acropolis when they attack Athens. However, the tree proves its immortality by sprouting overnight. Greeks have deemed olive as the rescuer and protector and worshipped it.