What were the reasons that led to the collapse of the world system at the end of the Bronze Age?
The Late Bronze Age collapse, often referred to as the end of the Bronze Age, was a period of societal decline and upheaval in the Eastern Mediterranean and Near East, around 1200-1150 BCE. It led to the fall of several significant civilizations, including the Hittites, Mycenaeans, and Egyptians (as a major power), and it marked a transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age.
Several contributing factors have been suggested for this collapse, although it’s difficult to determine the exact causes due to limited historical records from this period. These factors include:
- Invasions: The Sea Peoples, a mysterious group of seafaring raiders, are often cited as a major cause of the Late Bronze Age collapse. Egyptian records depict them as invaders from the north who attacked the coastal cities of the Eastern Mediterranean. The exact identity of the Sea Peoples is unknown, but they might have included several different groups, including the Philistines.
- Climate Change and Drought: There is evidence of a significant climate change event around the same time as the collapse, including indications of severe droughts. This could have led to widespread crop failures and famine, undermining the stability of these Bronze Age civilizations.
- Earthquakes: A series of massive earthquakes, known as earthquake storms, could have caused significant damage to cities and infrastructure, contributing to the societal collapse.
- Internal Conflict and Societal Complexity: Some scholars suggest that the increasing complexity and interdependence of these societies made them vulnerable to collapse. Issues such as social unrest, economic instability, and the overextension of resources could have played a part.
- Trade Disruptions: Trade networks were highly interconnected during the Late Bronze Age. Disruptions to these networks could have had a cascading effect, leading to economic decline and societal instability.
Following the collapse, a “dark age” ensued, during which many of the advancements of the Bronze Age were lost or forgotten. Over time, new civilizations emerged, including the city-states of ancient Greece, the Israelite kingdoms, and the Neo-Assyrian Empire, marking the beginning of the Iron Age.