Olive oil 8,000 years old found in ancient amphora

 

Traces of olive  oil, which date back to the 6th millennium BC, researchers have found an ancient amphora in Israel.

"This is the oldest chronological element for the use of olive oil in the country and perhaps in the whole Mediterranean basin," said those responsible for excavation Ianir Milevski and Nimrod Getzov.

The team of researchers
discovered the pottery random. The excavation in the area En Zippori was requested by the government, before work started on the extension of a motorway. Investigations eventually lasted three years (2011-2013).


 

 From the analysis made in organic residues found on the clay, it was discovered that the vessels containing oil, dating to the early Chalcolithic period.  

A total of 20 vessels, two of which date back to around 5,800 BC
 
The  amphoras  were analyzed for chemical detection of biological raw materials.
  
 
The findings confirm previous research indicating that people began to exploit the trees about 8000-6000 years ago.  
Archaeologists believe that the oil industry once flourished in the ancient northern Israel, but this is the first evidence that this type of oil used at such an early time.

"The underwater archaeological excavation had been previously led by Dr. Ehud Galili off the coast of Kafr Samir, south of Haifa found oil production remains from that period, but now, in Zippori, we find the first olive oil utilization data "the researchers said.

The study published in the journal Israel Journal of Plant Sciences.


Source: LiFO, The Archaeology News Network