New Analysis Revisits the Late Bronze Age Collapse of 1177 BC
An article explores the Late Bronze Age Collapse, which occurred in 1177 BC, resulting in the downfall of Mycenaean palaces, the Hittite Empire, and various Eastern Mediterranean cultures. This decline was driven by four main factors: warfare with the Sea Peoples, drought and famine, seismic activity, and disrupted trade routes. In his eighth year, Ramses III (1186 BC - 1155 BC) successfully repelled the Sea Peoples, who attacked Hittite fortifications, devastated Mycenaean sites, and incinerated Ugarit. Evidence indicates a decline in rainfall around 1200 BC, leading to a prolonged dry spell lasting three centuries. King Ammurapi of Ugarit noted famine and enemy vessels, while Merneptah provided wheat to the Hittites. Earthquakes between 1225 BC and 1175 BC impacted Mycenae and Troy, culminating in the loss of writing and the emergence of the Israelites and Phoenicians.
Key facts
- The Late Bronze Age Collapse occurred in 1177 BC, destroying many Eastern Mediterranean civilizations within a single generation.
- Ramses III, pharaoh from 1186 BC to 1155 BC, recorded a battle against the Sea Peoples in the eighth year of his reign at Medinet Habu.
- The Sea Peoples included the Peleset, Tjeker, Shekelesh, Denyen, and Weshesh.
- A sharp decrease in rainfall around 1200 BC led to a dry period lasting three centuries.
- King Ammurapi of Ugarit wrote to the King of Alashiya about enemy ships, burning cities, and troops stationed elsewhere.
- Pharaoh Merneptah sent Egyptian wheat to the Hittites to “keep the land alive,” an early example of international food aid.
- Earthquakes struck the Eastern Mediterranean between 1225 BC and 1175 BC, with destruction at Mycenae, Tiryns, Midea, and Troy.
- Trade networks depended on copper from Cyprus and tin from Afghanistan; disruption halted bronze production and led to the Iron Age.
Entities
Artists
- Ramses III
- Merneptah
- Ammurapi
- Kara Cooney
- Jared Krebsbach
Institutions
- Medinet Habu
- TheCollector
- National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Locations
- Egypt
- Greece
- Anatolia
- Turkey
- Syria
- Ugarit
- Alashiya
- Cyprus
- Afghanistan
- Canaan
- Levant
- Mycenae
- Tiryns
- Midea
- Troy
- Hattusa
- Thebes
- Luxor
- Nile Delta
- Aegean Islands
- Crete
- Byblos
- Beirut
- Germany
- Mediterranean
- Near East
- Mycenaean Greece