Iron Age Shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea

After 1200 BC, the Bronze Age civilisations in the Middle East either collapsed or re-invented themselves. It is noticeable that very few shipwrecks have been found in the Mediterranean Sea that can be dated between 1200 and 800 BC. Did the so called collapse of the Bronze Age fracture the maritime trade routes for four hundred years?

The Iron Age, spanning roughly from 1200 to 500 BC, marked a transformative period in the Mediterranean region. This era witnessed the rise of powerful civilisations like the Phoenicians and Greeks, who established extensive maritime trade networks across the sea.

The Phoenicians were renowned for their seafaring skills and were masterful traders. They founded colonies like Carthage and established trade routes reaching as far as Britain and West Africa. Their ships carried valuable commodities such as purple dye, glass, and fine textiles.

The Greeks, with their growing city-states, also became active traders. They sought luxury goods like spices, perfumes, and precious metals from distant lands. Greek colonies dotted the Mediterranean coast, facilitating trade and cultural exchange.

The Mediterranean Sea served as a vital highway for trade. Ships carrying diverse goods sailed between ports, connecting civilisations and fostering economic growth.

Trade with Egypt and the Near East brought goods like papyrus, linen, and exotic spices

Connections with North Africa and Iberia facilitated the exchange of metals, agricultural products, and pottery.

Besides luxury goods, trade also involved essential items like timber, metals (iron, copper, tin), and agricultural produce.