We know that olive oil made it into our food around 1,000 BC, but it is the first time we have laboratory evidence that it was used in smelting as a fuel.

The olive press and storage facilities were in the middle of two areas where copper was worked. It shows that for sure they used olive oil. Can you imagine building an olive press in the middle of a metallurgy plant? Why?

There were no storage areas for charcoal. We have discovered that to melt copper you need five kilos of olive oil, compared to 80 kilos of charcoal.

I suspect the technology came from abroad, most probably through contact with Palestine and Jordan.

He's defending the issue of pursuing the Oil for Food program investigation. He's defending the full sovereignty. There are attempts to undermine sovereignty in Iraq. He's defending the issue of not accepting any ruling by any foreign entity inside Iraq. And he's been targeted for doing some things good for the Iraqi people.

Basil is used a lot for Italian food. Grind basil leaves and combine them with parsley (if desired), olive oil and either pecans (more easily available) or pine nuts to make pesto. Freeze the mixture in an ice cube tray then, when desired, take out a cube or two and melt over pasta or other dishes. You can also just take the leaves, wash and dry them, then freeze them with water in an ice cube tray so they will be fresh when you use them for cooking.