The True Reason For The Bronze Age Collapse Explained

About this video

• Video Title: The True Reason For The Bronze Age Collapse Explained
• Channel: Empire • World History
• Speakers: Professor Eric Klein, Anita Arnan (host)
• Duration: 53:15

Overview

This video features Professor Eric Klein discussing his book "1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed," which explores the multitude of factors contributing to the widespread collapse of civilizations during the Late Bronze Age. The discussion highlights how a combination of natural disasters, internal rebellions, and external invasions created a "perfect storm" that brought down established powers.

Key takeaways

• The Bronze Age collapse was not caused by a single factor but by a "perfect storm" of catastrophes that impacted civilizations over a relatively short period (20-50 years).
• Evidence suggests a widespread and prolonged "mega drought" occurred during this period, supported by scientific studies of lake sediment, tree rings, and stalagmites.
• Various potential causes have been identified, including invasions (like the "Sea Peoples"), earthquakes, drought, famine, and internal rebellions, all of which likely contributed to the systemic failure.
• The collapse led to significant population decline, the disappearance of literacy in some regions, and the breakdown of established trade networks, forcing societies to rebuild from a lower level.
• The "Sea Peoples" are a modern construct; the Egyptians themselves documented multiple distinct groups involved in these events, with evidence of migration and conflict impacting regions from Greece to Egypt.
• The destruction of cities like Ugarit and Megiddo, along with the mention of "Israel" in Egyptian records from this period, provides key archaeological and textual evidence for the widespread nature of the collapse.