1177 B.C.: When Civilization Collapsed | Eric Cline

The speaker, Alexander, introduces the concept of 'long short' - a short film exemplifying long-term thinking. He acknowledges the difficulty in finding suitable films and encourages the audience to submit their own. He sets the stage for the evening's topic, which is about the fragility and robustness of civilizations, using the long short as a starting point. The speaker, Stuart Brand, further elaborates on the long now foundation's mission to think about time and history in the context of the next 10,000 years.

The speaker, Eric Cline, takes the audience back to the Late Bronze Age (1700 to 1200 BC), a period he considers the peak of ancient civilization, often referred to as the 'g8' of the ancient world. He describes this era as a time of prosperity, diplomacy, and trade, where civilizations were interconnected, leading to a form of globalization. He mentions significant figures like Hatshepsut, Moses, and Ramses II, and discusses the societal structure, trade routes, and the extensive network of interactions among different civilizations.

The speaker delves into the specifics of trade and interactions among the civilizations of the Late Bronze Age. He discusses the importance of bronze and the need for tin and copper, which were traded over long distances. He provides examples of trade items, such as a weapon from Crete and sandals destined for the palace of Hammurabi. The speaker also touches on the social network of the time, highlighting the interconnectedness of the civilizations and the impact of trade on their economies and societies.

The speaker discusses the maritime trade practices of the Late Bronze Age, focusing on the Minoans and their extensive trade network. He describes the trade routes, the types of goods exchanged, and the significance of Cyprus as a source of copper. The speaker also mentions the role of the Minoans in the trade of finished goods and raw materials, providing evidence from Mari letters and other archaeological findings. He emphasizes the Minoans' role in the broader trade network that included Egypt, the Hittites, and other civilizations.

The speaker presents the findings of the Uluburun shipwreck as a case study of international trade during the Late Bronze Age. The ship, which sank around 1300 BC, contained a vast amount of copper, tin, glass, resin, ivory, and pottery, indicating extensive trade networks. The speaker suggests that the ship's cargo reflects the interconnectedness of the civilizations and the complexity of their trade relationships. He also discusses the potential origins and destinations of the ship, highlighting the significance of the shipwreck in understanding the Late Bronze Age economy.

The speaker explores the role of written communication in the trade and diplomacy of the Late Bronze Age. He references the Amarna letters, which provide insights into the diplomatic relations and trade agreements among civilizations. The speaker also discusses the importance of Akkadian as a lingua franca, facilitating communication and trade among diverse civilizations. He emphasizes the value of these written records in understanding the complexities of the Late Bronze Age society and its eventual collapse.

The speaker discusses the mysterious collapse of the Late Bronze Age civilizations, which occurred rapidly and affected multiple interconnected civilizations. He notes that while the sea peoples are often blamed for the collapse, they may have been as much victims as they were agents of destruction. The speaker suggests that a 'perfect storm' of drought, famine, invasions, earthquakes, and possibly other factors contributed to the collapse. He also discusses the challenges in pinpointing a single cause, given the complex and interconnected nature of the civilizations involved.

The speaker compares the Late Bronze Age society to modern globalization, suggesting that the interconnectedness of civilizations at the time is similar to today's world. He discusses the potential parallels between the collapse of the Late Bronze Age and current global challenges, such as climate change and political instability. The speaker emphasizes the importance of studying the collapse to understand how interconnected societies can prevent or mitigate similar disasters in the future.

The speaker discusses the aftermath of the Late Bronze Age collapse, often referred to as the Greek Dark Ages. He describes the loss of writing, monumental architecture, and other hallmarks of civilization. He also touches on the concept of a 'systems collapse' and the subsequent rebuilding process, which varied in duration depending on the region. The speaker suggests that the collapse and subsequent dark age allowed for new ideas and innovations to emerge, such as the use of iron and the development of new writing systems.

The speaker discusses the scale of cities, kingdoms, armies, and navies during the Late Bronze Age, emphasizing that they were not as large as might be imagined. He also addresses the nature of the migrations and invasions, suggesting that they were more akin to migrations seeking new settlements rather than purely destructive invasions. The speaker highlights the vulnerability of prosperous societies to sudden and multiple disasters, and the difficulty in preparing for or preventing such collapses.

The speaker talks about the languages spoken during the Late Bronze Age and the existence of a lingua franca, Akkadian, which facilitated communication and diplomacy among different civilizations. He also discusses the importance of writing in administrative and trade practices, and the potential for future archaeological discoveries of written records that could provide further insights into the period.

The speaker reflects on the future of archaeology, emphasizing the potential for new technologies and methodologies to revolutionize the field. He discusses the importance of preserving archaeological sites for future generations with better tools and knowledge. The speaker also contemplates the potential misinterpretations future archaeologists might make when studying remnants of our modern civilization, such as motels and fast-food chains.

The speaker concludes the discussion with a reflection on the stories that continue to emerge from the study of the Late Bronze Age. He expresses his enthusiasm for the ongoing discoveries and the new narratives that are being uncovered by archaeologists. The speaker leaves the audience with a sense of curiosity and anticipation for future archaeological findings.