Ancient Dreros, 800 BC
Olive cultivation in the Mirambello Valley dates back at least 3000 years. Just east of Neapoli town, in a cradle of land between two hilltops, are traces of a large settlement dating from about 800 BC.
Ancient Dreros (the name probably means “wooded area”) was discovered by local farmers in the 1850s. They found a square stone bearing a Doric inscription: the famous oath of the 180 youths of Dreros. Every youth passing into manhood swore loyalty to his homeland by planting an olive tree and taking care of it. The trees and their olive fruit were precious and sacred because they were used in many key products from food, medicine and cosmetics, to lighting and heating.