Question

People often associate advancements in technology with human progress. Why did the development of iron technology and the alphabet occur at a time of societal collapse at the end of the Late Bronze Age?

a) Societal collapse spurred innovation and experimentation.
b) Existing bronze technology was deemed ineffective, prompting change.
c) The collapse encouraged cultural exchange and knowledge sharing.
d) The collapse eradicated existing knowledge, necessitating new advancements.

Answer 1

The development of iron technology and the alphabet occurred at the end of the Late Bronze Age due to societal collapse, which spurred innovation, encouraged cultural exchange, and necessitated new advancements.

Step-by-step explanation:

The development of iron technology and the alphabet occurred at the end of the Late Bronze Age during a time of societal collapse for a few reasons.

1. Societal collapse spurred innovation and experimentation: The disruptions caused by the Late Bronze Age Collapse made it difficult for metal workers to access tin, a crucial ingredient in bronze. Without a sufficient supply of tin, artisans experimented with iron ore and developed techniques to produce a metal far superior in strength to bronze.
2. The collapse encouraged cultural exchange and knowledge sharing: The arrival of Phoenicians and Greeks in the Mediterranean region brought them into contact with other cultures, such as the Etruscans in Italy. This cultural exchange led to the development of new technologies and ideas.
3. The collapse necessitated new advancements: The collapse of the Bronze Age empires eradicated existing knowledge and disrupted trade networks, which led to the need for new advancements in technology.