The Olive Route
Ametlla agriculture has been a secondary economic resource. The vineyards, along with olive, almond and carob trees were alternatives during the winter months when the lateen boats could not go fishing. During the period of phylloxera, the vine growing fields completely disappeared, with the olive and almond key players. We must stress the fact that there were different activities associated with the life of the countryside, such as calcium ovens, ranges and building dry stone huts that have endured over time and still retain. It’s important to highlight the different routes dedicated to livestock season migration and there respective watering points.
1. Dry stone walls and dry stone structures (Olive Route)
With the appearance of agriculture in the Mediterranean area, dry and rocky terrains gave rise to dry stone construction techniques for to different uses. Dry stone construction originated in the Middle East, the birthplace of many cultures, and subsequently due to migration and various population movements spread throughout the Mediterranean. Dry stone buildings are those which use only dry stone without any other materials such as cement, plaster etc, although sometimes we can find clay or earth in the joints. The main feature is that the stones, which can vary in size depending of the type of construction, stand alone thanks to how they have been placed by the builder. It’s logical that the stones used weren’t too big. There were taken from the same area and moved by one person. The boundaries Usually, during the process of preparing the farms the land had to be prepared and made suitable for cultivation. Clearing scrub and removing rubble and breaking down large rocks that prevented cultivation. All of these materials would be saved for later use on the boundary walls. The borders or dry stone walls are built to form the slopes and terraces and therefore gain cultivable land which was previously prevented by the slopes. These walls slow the run off of rainwater and retain moisture and prevent erosion. Borders are simple constructions and the most common heritage of dry stone. The barracks These structures are built solely of stone, both the walls and ceiling. The front is completely open, giving access to the inside, while the back wall and sides are completely closed. There are different models: square or rectangular, or circular types. The stones are chosen and used according to their size and shape in the different areas that make up the structure. For the roof flat stones are used, or slates, which are arranged in a dome form, which is then sealed with a final slab. These buildings are used for the storage of farming tools, fruit or as a refuge.
2. The cultivation of olives and carobs (Olive Route)
Because of the environmental characteristics of the area and the length of time it takes to produce fruit, olive cultivation is not an immediate crop production. Therefore, to make the land productive alternative crops had to be sown to ensure the owner would profit from the land and help maintain the property. Almond cultivation and bove all vineyards were the most popular. In the town of l’Ametlla the first plantations were a mixture of olives, carobs and the most of all, vineyards. The latter, despite its importance in terms of production, disappeared from l’Ametlla with the onset of the plague phylloxera, giving way to mixed cultivation of olive and carob or olive, carob and almonds which is how it remains today. The Olive Tree The olive tree, Olea europea, originates in the Middle East and was introduced to the west of the Mediterranean over 5000 years ago. Cropping of the olive tree begins at the end of October when the fruit reaches maturity; it is then that the olives are harvested. Afterwards the work begins on the maintenance of the tree, pruning it in a way believed to be the best for the trees development, production and to facilitate the job of harvesting. Also, during the year, new shoots, known locally as edges or nuts, at the base of the tree must be removed. The primary objective of farming olives is to obtain the oil; this is done by pressing the olives. The Carob Tree The carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua, comes from the south of Western Asian and spread through the entire Mediterranean. It produces a fruit called a carob which is in the shape of a pod. This tree grows close the coast; it doesn’t cope well with temperatures below zero. It flowers in April and May, after which the carob pods grow. They accompany the farming of olives and almonds, although in a lesser number. Legumes such as the carob have the ability to deposit atmospheric nitrogen in the soil to nourish it, an essential element for plant growth. As such, it’s fair to say that the carob acts as a fertilizer to the stony soil which lacks nutrients present in l’Ametlla farms. Also, the carob fruit is used in the production of feed for livestock, chocolate, coffee, liquors, thickeners and dry animal feed.
3. Cattle paths and watering holes (Olive Route)
Cattle paths are a set of tracks which are intended for livestock. Cattle herding hasn’t been an major activity in l’Ametlla de Mar, although it is worth noting that close inland villages such as El Perelló have made it one of their country activities. An example of this activity is the network of cattle paths that span the municipal. These paths were used for moving and grazing herds, mainly white goats and sheep. These paths are always found along with watering holes or troughs, which offer the herds much needed water and rest from the dry Mediterranean environment.
4. Almond Farming (Olive Route)
The almond tree, Prunus dulcis, was first grown in Persia, Syria and Palestine. It is a tree that doesn’t need a lot of water and whose roots adapt perfectly to the shallow fields of the Mediterranean. The Greeks were the disseminatorsof this tree around the Mediterranean, the cultivation of which has survived until modern times. The almond tree begins its cycle with the appearance of blossom in mid February. The process of the appearance and maturing of the fruit lasts until the end of August or beginning of September, which is when the almonds are harvested. Cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and ointments are made from almonds and, of course, they are a staple ingredient in Catalan cakes and pastries.
5. Lime Kiln (Olive Route)
Since ancient times, the use of lime has been varied; the Romans mixed sand, ash and gravel to obtain what they called “Opus Caementicium” known today as concrete. In addition to the preparation of mortar or plaster for building, it was used for painting walls or frescoes and for whitewashing buildings and also other things including healing methods. In this case we can see part of the structure of a modern lime kiln, which is an example of the self-sufficiency of country people. Lime kilns are filled with wood and other combustible materials which burn for the time it takes to produce the lime. Above the wood a dome is built with limestone. The oven reached temperatures of close to 1000 degrees centigrade producing a caustic material which was mixed with water to produce dull lime or calcium hydroxide.
