Question: What would a first century olive (oil) press look like? Answer: The olive press shown below is on display at Capernaum. A shaft inserted through the donut shaped stone enables it to be turned, crushing the olives in the bowl area below. Olive oil was a much used item in Israel from ancient times. For Biblical examples see Exodus 25:6, Numbers 18:12-13, 1 Kings 5:11, Ezekiel 16:13, Luke 16:5-6.