UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS
This piece will discuss some of the categories of migration and colonization in the Bronze Age and the evidence we have for it. In doing so, it will interrogate some of the modern narratives of these activities. It will conclude with a more detailed discussion of evidence for migration at the end of the Bronze Age, ca. twelfth century BC, when many of the Mediterranean city-states collapsed.
It is tempting to view migration as colonization. This view is frequently informed more by modern narratives drawn from a combination of our colonialist, exploration-centred, commercial, and nationalist past, and the tales found in books such as the Homeric myths and the Bible. These texts give us accounts of two great journeys: the Odysseus model of making an extended journey before returning to one’s homeland and the Abrahamic model of making an extended journey to a new land. One is circular and lengthy, but temporary, while the other one is extended and permanent. Colonialist narratives are perceived as heroic, with a large group of people undertaking a planned journey to a new home, following the lead of great explorers. The truth likely involves features of all these narratives, but with many nuanced characteristics.
The who, when, and why of Bronze Age migration
When and why did people migrate to new territory? The ‘when’ is often determined through scientific analysis of carbon-14 samples or the study of changes in pottery styles.
