Olive growing and olive oil production in Dalmatia

Iz povijesnog pregleda vidljivo je da su maslina i maslinovo ulje neraskidivo povezani s Dalmacijom. Već u ranom srednjem vijeku prvi pravilnici reguliraj uzgoj maslinarstva i proizvodnju maslinovog ulja, što pokazuje značajnu važnost ove grane poljoprivrede. Mnogobrojni nalazi koji potvrđuju razvoj maslinarstva i proizvodnju maslinovog ulja tijekom boravka Rimljana na području Dalmacije, poput kamenog mlina za masline iz 1. stoljeća naše ere u iskopinama antičke Salone ili pak, na lokalitetu Muline (otok Ugljan) gdje dio rimske vile ima kompletnu uljaru s mlinom, presom i skladištem maslinovog ulja, nam pokazuju da je maslinarstvo, uz vinogradarstvo, bila najznačajnija grana poljoprivrede u Dalmaciji. Maslinovo ulje je kroz prošlost značilo opstojnost ljudi na ovim prostorima i to ne samo fizičku, jer je bila gotovo jedina masnoća u njihovoj prehrani, već i ekonomsku jer je uz vino bilo značajan izvor prihoda. Općepoznato je da je maslinovo ulje bogato kvalitetnim masnoćama, vitaminima, polifenolima i mineralima, da pomaže održavanju zdravog organizma, i to već od prvih mjeseci života, pa se upravo isto čuvalo u stoljetnim kamenicama poput suhog zlata.The historical overview shows that olive and olive oil are inextricably linked with Dalmatia. Already in the early Middle Ages, the first ordinances regulated the cultivation of olive growing and the production of olive oil, which shows the significant importance of this branch of agriculture. Numerous finds confirming the development of olive growing and olive oil production during the Roman rule in Dalmatia, such as a stone mill for olives from the 1st century AD in the excavations of ancient Salona or at the site Muline (island of Ugljan) where part of the Roman villa has mill, press and storage of olive oil, show us that olive growing, along with viticulture, was the most important branch of agriculture in Dalmatia. Olive oil has in the past meant the survival of people in this area, not only physically, because it was almost the only fat in their diet, but also economically because wine was a significant source of income. It is well known that olive oil is rich in quality fats, vitamins, polyphenols and minerals, that helps maintain a healthy body, from the first months of life, so the same is preserved in centuries-old oysters like dry gold