The Ancient War for Light: How Olive Oil Shaped Civilizations Before Petroleum Took Center Stage

Oil, often referred to as “black gold,” was first discovered on August 27, 1859, in Titusville, Pennsylvania by Edwin Drake. Iraq did not make its oil discovery until the 1920s, and Saudi Arabia only in the 1930s. Yet even before these modern discoveries, a battle for oil had been raging in the Middle East for millennia.

In ancient times, petroleum was known as bitumen—a sealant and insulator that seeped from the ground and was scooped up for use. The ancient Phoenicians used bitumen to line their ships, ensuring buoyancy. Long before petroleum became the dominant oil of the region, olive oil reigned supreme. As a renewable resource, it was used for food, medicine, lubrication, lighting, and religious rituals. Exported across continents, Mideast olive oil was in high demand due to its durability, minimal spoilage, and ease of transportation.

Ancient olive oil was shipped in large amphorae—jugs with handles on each side—each bearing a stamp identifying the producer. To prevent shifting during ship voyages, these jugs had pegs that fit into racks with matching holes. Olive oil was exported to Greece, Italy, and Egypt. In ancient times, Egypt could not grow its own olives, making olive oil a vital commodity for those who cultivated it. Producing olive oil provided recurring income and was considered generational wealth—a respected profession passed down through generations.

The Bible references olive oil three times: in Exodus 27:20, Exodus 30:22, and Leviticus 24:2—all discussing its role in temple rituals. In Christianity, the Greek word “Christos” means to anoint with olive oil. Islam also holds olive oil in high regard; a Sura (chapter) in the Quran is titled “the Verse of Light,” describing a “blessed olive tree” that gives “light upon light.”

Olive oil lamps were far superior to torches or wood fires—they were cleaner, more efficient, portable, and safer. Even the remnants of pressed olives served as fuel for fire, cooking, and heating. Alternatives like beeswax, animal fat, and vegetable oils were harder to harvest. Olives produced oil in high demand even as far away as Britain and Italy.

In ancient Israel and modern-day Syria and Jordan, olive oil was integral to daily life and religious practice, carrying an aura of holiness. Archaeological evidence shows the olive oil industry could scale significantly—enormous presses and vast collections of amphorae were found across regions. Olive oil was irreplaceable in ancient civilizations and remained so for centuries.

Today, petroleum is essential—but it has become a geopolitical resource due to global dependency. Petroleum became a symbol of power beyond wealth. The United States is the world’s largest oil producer, followed by Russia and Saudi Arabia.

The nature of oil use has changed dramatically: today’s petroleum fuels industries and mobility, generating both energy and political influence. In contrast, olive oil was used for lighting homes and sanctuaries, feeding people, funding trade, and enabling religious rituals. Olive oil centered around orchards, households, and temples, while petroleum revolves around drilling wells, refineries, state and global markets.

Olive oil represented ancient agricultural traditions, whereas petroleum has become the foundation of modern economic growth and international power. It is no surprise that Rockefeller’s Standard Oil of California was among the first to sign drilling deals with Saudi Arabia—a testament to how different eras have shaped our world. Lives once defined by olive groves are now shaped by oil fields and global energy markets.