Scivillage.com Casual Discussion Science Forum
Severe multi-year drought coincident with Hittite collapse around 1198–1196 bc - Printable Version

+- Scivillage.com Casual Discussion Science Forum (https://www.scivillage.com)
+-- Forum: Science (https://www.scivillage.com/forum-61.html)
+--- Forum: Meteorology & Climatology (https://www.scivillage.com/forum-72.html)
+--- Thread: Severe multi-year drought coincident with Hittite collapse around 1198–1196 bc (/thread-13636.html)



Severe multi-year drought coincident with Hittite collapse around 1198–1196 bc - C C - Feb 11, 2023

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-05693-y

INTRO: The ancient Anatolian empire of the Hittites mysteriously collapsed more than 3,000 years ago. Now, researchers find that climate change could have played a part.

A study that ties together climate observations and human history suggests that a three-year drought in central Anatolia from 1198 to 1196 bc contributed to the demise of the empire’s capital, Hattusa, perhaps dooming the civilization.

The study, published in Nature on 8 February, found reduced tree growth in central Anatolia, which the authors attribute to a decrease in local rainfall during the twelfth century bc. They identified three consecutive years of drought from 1198 to 1196 bc — rare but not unheard of in the central Anatolian climate — which synchronize with the abandonment of the Hittite capital and the fall of the empire... (MORE - details)


RE: Severe multi-year drought coincident with Hittite collapse around 1198–1196 bc - Syne - Feb 11, 2023

Yes, climate has always changed.