An Ancient olive oil mill was discovered during construction work on the Thermi-Pigi-Lambou Mylon provincial road on the island of Lesvos, Greece. It was found next to a farmhouse from the 5th century AD and it was intact.
During the restoration, it was discovered that the oil mill was a part of a large complex associated with the production and utilization of the local products such as cereals, oil or wine and it was in use from the 2nd to the 6th centuries AD.
The whole work with transportation and restoration has lasted for two months before the ancient oil mill was shown to the public. The project was funded through European Structural and Investment Funds of European Union (ESPA), reminding that culture should be supported even in difficult times for the country.
“The Ancient olive oil mill was transferred unchanged. We’ve set it up again in the courtyard of the new Archaeological Museum where we did the whole restoration work, “said Paul Triantaphyllides head of the Antiquities Office of Lesvos at the July opening ceremony at Mytilene’s new Archaeological Museum.
The discovery of the ancient mill will support local efforts to promote the island of Lesvos as an important olive oil producer in Greece. Lesvos has around 28 percent of its territory under olive trees and the production of oil comes mainly from the small producers. The island’s average annual production reaches about 25,000 to 30,000 tons of olive oil and its quality has been recognized not only in Greece but in the foreign markets, especially South America and Asia.
While the island is already well known for its Museum of Industrial Olive Oil Production, with the Ancient olive oil mill discovery Lesvos will try to integrate the architectural, social and cultural contexts of its industrial heritage, both in the olive sector and in the wider field of technology.
Source (image and post) : https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-basics/ancient-mill-discovered-lesvos/52870
