Window into the Bible
Olive Production
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Olive Crusher
Date: Unknown (1st millennium BC.) Place: Capernaum, Israel
Photographed at the Capernaum archaeological excavations, Capernaum, Israel.
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Olives were first crushed in a basalt basin like this. The crushed oiled were then placed in a reed basket and pressure was applied using a beam with weights attached (see photos below). The squeezed out oil was then collected in pits carved into the floor below the press.
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Olive Crusher (reproduction)
Photographed at Explorations in Antiquity Center, La Grange, Georgia, USA.
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They crush olives among the terraces; they tread the winepresses, yet suffer thirst. (Job 24:11)
Olive Press
(reconstructed)
Date: 8th century BC.
Place: Hazor, Israel
Photographed at the Hazor archaeological excavations, Hazor, Israel.
Olive Press - Beam Support and Oil Pit
Date: Unknown (1st millennium BC.)
Place: Capernaum, Israel
Photographed at the Capernaum archaeological excavations, Capernaum, Israel.
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Olive Press (reproduction)
Photographed at Explorations in Antiquity Center, La Grange, Georgia, USA.
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“Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning continually. …” (Leviticus 24:2)
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Olive Press (reproduction)
Photographed at Nazareth Village, Nazareth, Israel.
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You will plant but not harvest; you will press olives but not use the oil, you will crush grapes but not drink the wine. (Micah 6:15)