After 1177 BC: The Survival of Civilization

One of the more fascinating archaeological and historical books I’ve read. 1177 BC, the first book by Eric Cline details the Late Bronze Age Collapse. When globalization ended for some reason due to many mass calamities, natural and man-made where a Mediterranean centered network economy and world completely collapsed. 

Drought, massive invasions by migrating populations notably the “Sea People”, war, rebellion, famine, chaos, economic decline and a breakdown of supply chains. It was grim reading with many lessons for present day civilization. When things get bad, they get really bad. 

I had to read his follow up “After 1177 BC” detailing what happened after. Which civilizations adapted and transformed themselves to dominate in the new world like the Phoenicians and Cypriots. Those who calcified but survived like the Egyptians and those who completely disappeared like the Minoans, Mycenaeans & Hittites. As normal, most folks don’t make it. Especially through the mass changes to the new Iron Age. 

We learned that some societies thrived because of having the luck of being on the right trade routes, being situated by reliable and large river systems or having less climate disruption all leading to secure food supplies. Or having a cohesive elite or ruling class and society that pulls together during the crisis. Or having the resources to weather the storm so to speak. Fascinating if not grim stuff. 

“For some, the end was sudden-invaders sacked their city or an earthquake brought down the walls of a house upon its occupants. For others, it was a catastrophe in slow motion, with drought impacting the crops and famine decimating the population. Nobody in the Aegean or Eastern Mediterranean regions escaped the effects of the Late Bronze Age Collapse.

Virtually everyone was affected in some way, shape or form: rich and poor, aristocrat and peasant, victims and survivors,those whose lives changed drastically or just a little. Life as they knew it, and as they had known it for centuries before, changed irrevocably. Those who survived the calamities of that age had to adapt, carry on, find some ways to persist–even as the drought continued, the trade routes disappeared or became prey to bandits and raiders, and basic resources became scarce.”

My lesson is that dark ages can happen. Technology and knowledge lost. Writing and records gone. Civilizations, even the more advanced, can decline and even disappear. Wiped away forever. Western civilization is a gleaming jewel and I am even more fervent that it needs us to be defended, one person and one family at a time.