Everything Everywhere Daily The Late Bronze Age Collapse
Dec 20, 2024
Around 3,200 years ago, the Late Bronze Age witnessed the dramatic collapse of major civilizations like the Mycenaean and Hittite empires. Trade routes vanished, cities fell, and the Mediterranean region was plunged into chaos. Theories abound regarding the causes, from invasions by the Sea Peoples to environmental shifts and rampant warfare. This transformative period ushered in a dark age, reshaping societies and paving the way for the rise of new cultures in the Iron Age.
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Late Bronze Age Collapse Significance
- The Late Bronze Age Collapse is a pivotal yet little-known historical event.
- It significantly impacted human civilization but remains mysterious.
Eastern Mediterranean Civilizations
- Around 1200 BC, several empires thrived in the Eastern Mediterranean: Mycenaean, Hittite, and Egyptian New Kingdom.
- The Babylonian and Assyrian empires existed further east but were less directly involved.
Uluburun Shipwreck and Trade
- The Uluburun shipwreck revealed extensive trade networks in the late Bronze Age.
- It contained diverse artifacts, indicating vibrant commerce across the Mediterranean.