Hekla 3 volcanic eruption theory and Bronze Age collapse in Eastern Mediterranean. Late Bronze Age collapse noticed in 19th century when destruction sites in Greece matched Egyptian records of Sea Peoples Climate change and volcanic eruptions proposed as causes starting in early 20th century 1989 study examined Irish bog oaks showing two decades of limited growth

🌋 Irish bog oaks showed stunted growth for 2 decades, & tephra cores from Scotland/Ireland pointed to Iceland's Hekla volcano erupting around 3,000 years ago. Could a volcanic winter explain Bronze Age collapse? Evidence remained inconclusive 🤔

Key facts claimed:

- Late Bronze Age collapse noticed in 19th century when destruction sites in Greece matched Egyptian records of Sea Peoples

- Climate change and volcanic eruptions proposed as causes starting in early 20th century

- 1989 study examined Irish bog oaks showing two decades of limited growth

- Volcanic tephra recovered from core samples in Scotland and Ireland

- Hekla volcano in Iceland thought to have erupted around 1100 BC

Key Facts

  • Late Bronze Age collapse noticed in 19th century when destruction sites in Greece matched Egyptian records of Sea Peoples
  • Climate change and volcanic eruptions proposed as causes starting in early 20th century
  • 1989 study examined Irish bog oaks showing two decades of limited growth
  • Volcanic tephra recovered from core samples in Scotland and Ireland
  • Hekla volcano in Iceland thought to have erupted around 1100 BC
  • Hekla 3 eruption named for third prehistoric eruption
  • Theory proposed volcanic winter devastated crops
  • Theory fell out of favor as evidence for Eastern Mediterranean collapse was inconclusive
  • No clear archaeological sequence of site destruction or abandonment north of Eastern Mediterranean
  • No meaningful textual records of famines directly connected to eruption

Source: The Hekla 3 Bronze Age Apocalypse Theory by The Historian's Craft