Letters in Economic Research Updates
Commodities in Transition: How Early Iron Adoption Destabilized Bronze Age Trade Networks
Abstract
Fraser Rieche
The Late Bronze Age collapse (~1200 BCE) has traditionally been attributed to a combination of factors, including warfare, natural disasters, and societal upheaval. This paper proposes an economic perspective, suggesting that the gradual adoption of iron technology disrupted established bronze trade networks, leading to economic destabilization. By examining archaeological findings, trade patterns, and metallurgical analyses, the study explores how incremental shifts in material usage could have undermined the economic foundations of Bronze Age civilizations. Special attention is given to archaeological evidence for early iron smelting before the collapse, as well as to the vulnerability of coastal trading hubs that suffered a loss of resilience. The research highlights the potential of early iron adoption as a catalyst for economic and societal transformation, offering a nuanced understanding of the factors contributing to the collapse.