The first inhabitants of Antequera lived from agriculture, livestock and what nature gave them. The dolmens, now a World Heritage Site, show that they also had a special and symbolic connection with the landscape.

During Roman times, Antequera, called Antikaria, became a key agricultural and commercial centre thanks to its strategic location. The Romans improved irrigation with canals and cisterns, increasing the production of wheat, vines and olives, and built roads such as the Via Augusta to facilitate trade.

With the arrival of Al-Andalus, Antequera underwent a great agricultural change. The Muslims brought advanced irrigation systems, such as waterwheels and irrigation channels, which allowed the cultivation of almond trees, citrus fruits, pomegranate trees, vegetables and spices such as saffron. The mountainous areas were used for livestock and timber harvesting, while the valleys were used for intensive agriculture.

After the reconquest, Antequera was reorganised under a feudal system, with nobles and religious orders controlling the land, while the peasants worked as tenant farmers or day labourers. The arrival of iron tools and new ploughs allowed more land to be cultivated, which intensified wheat cultivation and reduced biodiversity. In addition, large forests were cleared to make room for new crops and pastures, altering local ecosystems.

In the 20th century, the use of machinery and fertilisers increased agricultural production, but caused damage to the environment, such as soil erosion and loss of habitats. The large olive groves became a symbol of Antequera, but also an example of ecological imbalance.