Overview
This lecture by Professor Eric Kleene explores the interconnected civilizations of the Late Bronze Age (~1700–1200 BC), their remarkable globalization, and the multiple factors that led to their collapse around 1177 BC.
The Late Bronze Age: A Globalized World
- The Late Bronze Age (1700–1200 BC) was characterized by intense trade and interdependence among civilizations from Italy to Iran.
- Major powers included the Hittites, Egyptians, Mycenaeans, Minoans, Babylonians, Assyrians, Canaanites, and others.
- Bronze production required copper from Cyprus and tin, mainly imported from Afghanistan, showing long-distance trade.
- Trade was not just in raw materials (copper, tin, gold, silver) but also in luxury goods (jewelry, daggers, sandals) and foodstuffs.
Evidence of Connectivity
- Letters and artifacts show direct and indirect contact between cultures (e.g., Mari tablets, Minoan and Mycenaean gifts depicted in Egyptian tombs).
- The Uluburun shipwreck (ca. 1300 BC) contained cargo from at least seven cultures, highlighting extensive trade networks.
Collapse Around 1177 BC
- Around 1200 BC, the interconnected societies experienced widespread collapse, with only Egypt and Assyria surviving in diminished forms.
- Earlier theories blamed the "Sea Peoples," as described in Egyptian texts, for the destruction.
- Sea Peoples were likely a mix of migrating groups (e.g., Philistines, possibly from Crete or Sardinia) rather than just invaders.
Multiple Causes of Collapse
- The collapse was likely caused by a "perfect storm" of factors:
- Mega-droughts (proven by pollen and sediment cores across the Mediterranean region).
- Famine (documented in letters from Ugarit and Hittite kings).
- Invasion and migrations (Sea Peoples and internal rebellions).
- Earthquakes, as indicated by destruction layers and archaeological evidence.
- Disrupted trade routes, especially cutting off tin supplies for bronze.
- These events often overlapped, leaving societies unable to recover before suffering the next catastrophe.
System Collapse and Aftermath
- The Late Bronze Age collapse is a classic example of systems collapse: loss of central administration, elite disappearance, economic breakdown, drastic population decline, and emergence of so-called "Dark Ages."
- The period produced myths such as those in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey.
Modern Parallels and Warnings
- The lecturer draws parallels between the Late Bronze Age collapse and current global challenges (climate change, destabilization, interconnected economies).
- The key question: Are we advanced enough today to act on our understanding and avoid similar systemic collapse?
Key Terms & Definitions
- Late Bronze Age — The period from about 1700 to 1200 BC, marked by international trade and advanced civilizations in the eastern Mediterranean.
- Sea Peoples — Groups of migrants/invaders who contributed to the destabilization of these societies.
- Systems Collapse — The rapid breakdown of complex societies due to multiple interrelated stressors.
- Mega-drought — An exceptionally prolonged and severe drought impacting entire regions.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the new edition of Professor Kleene’s book for updated evidence and interpretations.
- Consider the role of interconnectedness and vulnerability in past and present global societies.