Everything Everywhere Daily: The Late Bronze Age Collapse
Host: Gary Arndt | Release Date: December 20, 2024

Introduction to the Late Bronze Age Collapse

In this compelling episode of Everything Everywhere Daily, host Gary Arndt delves into one of history's most enigmatic and transformative periods: the Late Bronze Age Collapse. Approximately 3,200 years ago, a series of catastrophic events led to the rapid downfall of several major civilizations around the Mediterranean, ushering in a dark age that reshaped the ancient world. Despite its profound impact, this era remains shrouded in mystery, making it a fascinating topic for intellectually curious listeners.

Gary Arndt [00:00]: "Multiple major civilizations during the Bronze Age collapsed within a generation, international trade ground to a halt, and almost every major city around the Mediterranean was destroyed."

Setting the Stage: The World Before the Collapse

Around 1200 BCE, the eastern Mediterranean was a hub of thriving empires and bustling trade networks. Key players included:

• Mycenaean Civilization (Modern-day Greece): Renowned for its military might, monumental architecture, and the development of the Linear B script, which influenced later Greek culture and mythology.

• Hittite Empire (Eastern Turkey and Northern Syria): Celebrated for its advanced legal systems, chariot warfare, and extensive trade networks, the Hittites were major rivals to Egypt and other Near Eastern powers.

• New Kingdom Egypt: The era of illustrious pharaohs like Akhenaten, Ramses II, and Hatshepsut. Monumental structures such as Karnak and Abu Simbel epitomized Egypt's grandeur.

• Babylonian and Assyrian Empires (Mesopotamia): While not the primary focus, these empires were significant regional powers that felt the ripple effects of the collapse.

Trade during this period was vibrant, as evidenced by archaeological finds like the Uluberan shipwreck discovered off southern Turkey. This vessel, dating back to the Late Bronze Age, contained a treasure trove of goods ranging from precious metals and jewelry to exotic items like ostrich eggshells and amber beads, underscoring the region's interconnectedness.

Gary Arndt [04:15]: "The Uluberan shipwreck showed that there was an enormous amount of trade in the region during this period."

The Catalyst: Sudden and Pervasive Collapse

Within a remarkably short time frame, these established civilizations began to crumble. Key indicators of this collapse included:

• Destruction of Major Cities: Iconic centers like Mycenae, Knossos, Hattusa, and Ugarit were utterly destroyed, with evidence suggesting widespread devastation.

• Disruption of Trade Networks: The collapse halted the flow of essential resources such as tin and copper, critical for bronze production, leading to technological stagnation.

• Abandonment of Writing Systems: Societal structures deteriorated to the point where administrative and cultural record-keeping ceased, erasing historical continuity.

• Massive Population Declines: Although exact numbers remain speculative, estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands to several million people may have perished or been displaced.

Gary Arndt [12:45]: "Within the span of a single human lifetime, everything fell apart."

Theories Behind the Collapse

Gary explores several theories that scholars have proposed to explain this multifaceted collapse, acknowledging that a combination of factors likely played a role.

1. Invasions by the Sea Peoples

One of the most widely accepted theories attributes the collapse to invasions by the mysterious Sea Peoples. These groups are believed to have launched systematic naval attacks on major civilizations, reminiscent of Viking raids.

• Identity and Origin: The Sea Peoples were likely a confederation of different tribes from various parts of the Mediterranean, possibly including displaced populations from regions like Mycenae.

• Impact: Their amphibious assaults led to the downfall of powerful states like the Mycenaeans and Hittites, ultimately challenging even the mighty New Kingdom Egypt.

Gary Arndt [20:30]: "The Sea Peoples seem to have done something similar to the Vikings—raiders who came in by sea and ravaged the towns they attacked."

2. Severe Drought and Environmental Stress

Climate studies and archaeological evidence suggest that around 1200 BCE, the eastern Mediterranean experienced significant environmental challenges.

• Drought Evidence: Tree ring data, sediment cores, and pollen analysis indicate prolonged periods of reduced rainfall.

• Consequences: Crop failures and food shortages destabilized societies dependent on agriculture, undermining political and military structures.

Gary Arndt [24:10]: "A severe and prolonged drought would have led to widespread crop failures, creating food shortages and destabilizing societies."

3. Revolutionary Shifts in Warfare

Historian Robert Drewes proposes that changes in military tactics contributed significantly to the collapse.

• Chariot Vulnerability: The rise of heavily armed infantry with bronze or early iron weapons made traditional chariot-based armies less effective.

• Decentralization of Warfare: New infantry tactics allowed non-elite groups, potentially including the Sea Peoples, to challenge established powers.

Gary Arndt [28:45]: "A new style of warfare emerged, characterized by infantry equipped with better weapons and armor, allowing them to engage and neutralize chariot advantages."

4. Natural Disasters: Earthquakes

Some scholars point to archaeological evidence of city destructions consistent with earthquakes during this period.

• Destruction Patterns: The ruins of several major cities show signs of sudden destruction, possibly caused by seismic activity.

Gary Arndt [32:20]: "One or more earthquakes during this period may have devastated major cities, weakening the empires in the region."

Consequences of the Collapse

The downfall of the Late Bronze Age civilizations had far-reaching effects:

• End of Bronze Dominance: With the disruption of tin and copper supplies, bronze became scarce, hastening the transition to the Iron Age—not necessarily because iron was superior, but because bronze was no longer viable.

• Dark Age: The collapse led to a centuries-long period of economic, cultural, and political regression in many regions, with centralized states giving way to smaller, less complex societies.

• Loss of Literacy: Writing systems like Linear B vanished, resulting in a significant loss of knowledge and historical records.

• Emergence of New Civilizations: Out of the chaos emerged new Iron Age powers, including Greece, Rome, Phoenicia, Carthage, and the Persian Empire, setting the stage for future historical developments.

Gary Arndt [38:50]: "The Bronze Age collapse was a bigger shock to the world than the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, which took much longer to play out."

Conclusion: The Legacy of the Late Bronze Age Collapse

The Late Bronze Age Collapse stands as a pivotal moment in human history, marking the end of an era and the beginning of another. Its complex causes and profound consequences continue to intrigue historians and archaeologists alike, offering insights into the resilience and fragility of civilizations.

Gary Arndt [45:00]: "The collapse reshaped the ancient world and set the stage for the emergence of new Iron Age civilizations."

Behind the Scenes

• Executive Producer: Charles Daniel
• Associate Producers: Benji Long and Cameron Keever

Gary extends his gratitude to the supporters on Patreon, highlighting that their contributions enable the daily production of the show and provide exclusive merchandise access. Listeners are encouraged to join the Everything Everywhere Daily community on Facebook or Discord for discussions and further engagement.

This episode offers a thorough exploration of the Late Bronze Age Collapse, blending archaeological evidence with scholarly theories to unravel the mysteries of this transformative period. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply curious about the forces that shape civilizations, Gary Arndt provides a captivating narrative that illuminates the complexities of our past.