From the San Antonio, 1621
Olive jars were mainly used as liquid and small victual shipping and storage containers for items such as olives, grapes and wine. By examining the shape and form of an olive jar, an archaeologist can determine a precise date range of manufacture, making olive jars important tools for dating shipwrecks.
San Antonio, a Spanish nao, sailing home to Spain from Cartagena with a New World cargo of hides, timber, dye and treasure, was driven onto the western reefs during a storm in 1621.