Portugal they are known as ‘zambujeiros’. Archaeological remains confirm the presence of the olive tree since the Upper Palaeolithic, highlighting its ancestral connection to humankind. Another significant aspect is its longevity, with some trees dating back thousands of years, which reinforces its symbolic and historical value. 3. The olive tree in antiquity In Classical Antiquity, the olive tree played a central role in Mediterranean civilisations, particularly in Greece and Rome. The Greeks used olive oil as a staple of their diet, alongside bread, wine and honey: olive oil was considered highly nutritious and essential to health. Furthermore, it was also used on the body for cosmetic, therapeutic and sporting purposes. The Romans, for their part, also attached great importance to the olive tree, considering its wood sacred and its branches symbols of peace, progress and victory. As the olive tree was one of the main crops on Roman rural estates, olive oil became a valuable commercial product, transported throughout the Roman Empire in amphorae. Of the vast legacy left by the Romans in various fields, one cannot fail to mention, in this context, the work of Cato the Elder, De agri cultura, in which the author sets out rules on planting this tree, tending the surrounding land, harvesting the olives and the operation of the olive press. Although this work was written over 2,000 years ago, many of its teachings and fundamental principles remain relevant to olive cultivation in Portugal today, the main difference being that modern olive growing has transformed these foundations into a highly technological and intensive system. 4. The olive tree on the Iberian Peninsula The introduction of the olive tree to the Iberian Peninsula is attributed to the Phoenicians and the Greeks, although it was during the Roman period that its production expanded significantly. The olive oil produced in Hispania gained renown, being widely mentioned in ancient texts and becoming an essential product in both the diet and the economy. During the Visigothic and Arab periods, olive cultivation remained significant; by the Middle Ages, olive groves were often situated near settlements, thus serving as an indicator of human presence. 5. Olive oil: a key player in various fundamental roles throughout the ages • Food: the main fat used in Mediterranean cuisine; • Lighting: fuel for lamps and altars; • Medicine: used in the treatment of illnesses; • Hygiene and beauty: for body and skin care. This versatility demonstrates its importance in traditional societies. 6. Changes in the 20th century 6.1.Difficulties in the first half of the century At the start of the 20th century, in Portugal, the agricultural sector was facing disorganisation and economic difficulties. To address this situation, economic coordination bodies were established in the 1930s with the aim of regulating production and trade. In the olive oil sector, the National Olive Growing Board (1931) and the National Olive Oil Board (1937) were particularly significant. Despite these measures, problems such as high production costs, low levels of mechanisation and irregular harvests persisted. 142 CULTIVAR ANALYSIS AND PROSPECTIVE STUDIES No. 35 Olive groves and olive oil
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