OLIVE OIL PRODUCTION IN A SEMI-ARID AREA: EVIDENCE FROM ROMAN TELL ES-SUKHNAH, JORDAN

Abstract

Olive cultivation and oil pressing can be considered as cultural phenomenon characterizing the Mediterranean area. With special reference to the southern Levant, the culture – history of olive cultivation can be traced back as far as to the Late Neolithic\ Chalcolithic Period. Meanwhile, oil pressing began later on, especially during the Bronze Ages and has lasted until the present time. During the Roman period, olive pressing flourished as indicated by the uncovering of several oil pressing installations. However, the newly complete discovered olive press at the archaeological site of Tell Es-Sukhnah, Jordan shed more light on both the technique of olive pressing and the economic significance of olive beyond the core area of olive cultivation. It helps understanding the economic importance of the north-eastern part of Jordan during the Roman period, an area that can be considered a semi-arid one.