I have a friend who is digging at a mediaeval Islamic site. Historical
documents indicate that there was a grove of 500 olive trees at the site.
However, there is no idea given in the texts on where the grove was within the
general site. Furthermore, there is no current surface indication of where it
was, and no remains of an olive press to give a sense of proximity.
Does anyone have any advice on how to locate the grove? Are there aerial
photographic techniques that would be of help? What would be evidence for an
olive grove after approximately 1200 years anyway? Sorry if these are very
basic questions but my friend is an historian and not an archaeobotanist.
Thanks for any help.
Richard Whitekettle
Calvin College
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