” Probably a few of what fails at the end of the Bronze Age is a version of precisely what we see going incorrect in the contemporary world, which is that groups of people are attempting to move elsewhere because they arent in a location thats considered suitable or excellent,” Stuart Manning, the research study lead author, stated in a media statement.
The Hittite Empire emerged in 1650 BC in an area that includes much of modern-day Turkey. They were one of the major powers of the world for 5 centuries, however around 1200 BC, their capital was abandoned and the empire was gone. This was formerly blamed on war with other areas and an internal conflict, however now it appears that wasnt the case.
Hattusa, capital of the Hittite Empire. Image credit: Wikipedia Commons
Researchers from Cornell University examined tree ring and isotope records and found a three-year dry spell was the most likely culprit behind the downfall of the Hittite Empire. The finding is especially appropriate today, as the world deals with the impacts of the environment crisis and a warmer world– from drought to flooding to heat waves.
A changing civilization
“The tree-ring widths show something truly unusual is going on, and because its really narrow rings, that suggests the tree is struggling to stay alive. In a semi-arid environment, the only possible reason thats occurring is because theres little water, therefore its a drought, and this one is particularly severe,” Manning said in a statement.
The research study was released in the journal Nature.
The analysis suggests a gradual shift to drier conditions from the later 13th into the 12th century BCE and a continued period of severe dry spell from 1198 to 1196 BCE, which matches the timeline of the Hittites disappearance. Hattusa, the empires capital, enclosed by a stone wall with gates adorned with lions, was burned and deserted.
To find a description, Manning, a professor in archaeology, coordinated with Jed Sparks, a professor of ecology. They looked at samples of wood from the Midas Mound Tumulus at Gordion– a 53-meter manufactured structure situated west of Ankara that could have been utilized to build a burial chamber for King Midas daddy.
Researchers have actually long attempted to understand what set off the fall of the Hittites and the broader collapse that likewise affected other kingdoms in Greece, Crete and the Middle East. The Hittites, with their capital Hattusa positioned in main Anatolia, were the main geopolitical competitors of ancient Egypt throughout its impressive New Kingdom duration.
Now, with the world on the brink of approaching its own tipping point due to the environment crisis, this study raises important questions about how we are dealing with the climate crisis. We can still find out lessons from history and prevent additional severe weather occasions, but only if we take ambitious action to bring down our emissions.
The Hittite Empire emerged in 1650 BC in a region that consists of much of contemporary Turkey. They were one of the significant powers of the world for five centuries, but around 1200 BC, their capital was deserted and the empire was gone. This was formerly blamed on war with other regions and an internal dispute, but now it appears that wasnt the case.
One year of dry spell would be workable, with farmers having enough stored arrangements to get them through, the scientists described.
But equally essential are the trees that were used to develop the structure and have a hidden paleoclimatic record of the region. The researchers took a look at the patterns of tree-ring growth and discovered uncommonly narrow rings, which show dry conditions and “drought episodes critical to farming production and subsistence,” they wrote.
One year of drought would be manageable, with farmers having enough kept arrangements to get them through, the scientists explained. By the second year, a crisis would establish and the “whole system would begin to break down,” Manning stated. By the third year, hundreds of countless individuals would deal with starvation and even starve.