The olive landscape: A nearly 4,000-year-old legacy of human-nature interaction in the Central Mediterranean

The olive tree is one of the most iconic symbols of the Mediterranean basin, deeply intertwined with the region's history, economy, and culture. But how did this tree, originally a wild species, come to dominate landscapes across the Mediterranean? A recent study sheds light on the remarkable journey of the olive tree over the past 3,700 years, revealing the key role of human activity in its spread and success in the Central Mediterranean.