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Did an earthquake storm destroy many of the sites?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of What was the principal cause of the end of the Late Bronze Age palace system in the eastern Mediterranean?·3 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: earthquakes played at most a local roleAhead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. Earthquakes played at most a local role. leads, with evidence 1 for: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible.

Why it matters

The region is seismically active and the earthquake reading is the one natural cause that could destroy many sites quickly; its proponents call the case unproven⁠[1].

Answers 3

Earthquakes played at most a local role.
Partly supported by its tests
Evidence: 1 for
Most likely
Evidence: 1 for
Still possible
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible

History

  1. Nur & Cline puts forward: a sequence of major earthquakes in 1225–1175 BC destroyed many of the sites.
  2. Nur & Cline: destroyed sites lie overwhelmingly in high-shaking zones.For: A sequence of major earthquakes in 1225–1175 BC destroyed many of the sites.
  3. Nur & Cline: the proponents themselves describe the evidence as not conclusive.For: Earthquakes played at most a local role.
  4. Knapp & Manning puts forward: earthquakes played at most a local role.
  5. Asked on this site
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