The Luwian Civilization: The Missing Link in the Aegean Bronze Age

Before I tell you about the contents of this book, there a few other things worth mentioning first. Eberhard Zangger, the author of the book, is a rather controversial figure in archeology. He is a Stanford educated scholar, but most of the orthodoxy of the archeology who specialize on the Eastern Mediterranean civilizations do not share Zangger’s views. The orthodox view is more than a century old, first established by a philhellenist named Arthur Evans. Since then, his word was adopted as gospel by the orthodoxy. You can read quotes in this book (page 65) about what might happen to scholars who dare to question Evans’ views. Well, Zangger is one (of a handful) who dare to question the prevailing wisdom about the Bronze Age in the Eastern Mediterranean. Zangger may or may not be right, but his view of the Bronze Age is more plausible than the Orthodox view. It is well worth reading about it, especially if you are familiar with the many mysteries of the late Bronze Age.The Bronze Age in the Eastern Mediterranean lasted more than two millennia, from about 3000 BC to about 800 BC. During that time there were many well established civilizations: Minoans in Crete, Mycenaens in Greece, Luwians (including Troy) in Western Turkey, and Hittites in Central Turkey, and of course the ancient Egypt. Some catastrophic event around 1200 BC destroyed nearly all of these civilizations except Egypt, who barely survived. There is no well documented explanation of why and how this happened. The last four hundred years of the Bronze Age after 1200 BC are called the “Dark Ages”. They are dark, because we know so little about them today.What little we know about the Bronze Age mostly comes from the archeological digs at Minoan, Mycenaen, and Hittite sites, first interpreted by Evans. There is a potentially huge amount of additional information exists in the Western and the Southern Turkey, but many of these sites are likely to be buried underneath other more recent excavations (Roman and Byzantine). It is true that a small part of Troy is excavated (in Northwestern Turkey) but there may be hundred times more information than what Troy provides, if we correctly identify where to excavate next. That appears to be Zangger’s main message in the book. He and his collaborators claim to have identified more than 300 such sites of interest.In the book, Zangger also talks about other things, and proposes theories about Luwians, Troy, Mycenae, and Hittites, which I will not mention in this review in order not to be a spoiler. He also offers a theory about what happened near 1200 BC, which destroyed so many Bronze Age civilizations. Some (quite possibly none or all) of what he proposes may eventually be proven (or disproven) after a substantial number of the sites in Western Turkey are excavated. But his arguments should provide motivation for funding these excavations.The only thing I don’t like in the book is Zangger’s treatment of Heinrich Schliemann, who is presented in a positive light to my surprise. Schliemann deserves credit for finding Troy, but he is also a thief and grave robber. Many of the priceless treasures and artifacts of Troy were looted by Schliemann. He was later (in the 1880s) banned from carrying out further excavations in Turkey and Greece both.So, I encourage you to read the book, which I’m sure you will enjoy a lot. It is a cross between a highly technical work (non-fiction) and fiction. And both parts are very interesting (if you love history), especially considering how little we know about the late Bronze Age.

I devoured this book. Hittites! Maps! Hypotheses. Theories. Exciting archeology.

An intriguing look at Hittite/Achaean/Trojan War time era where a relatively unknown group, the Luwians, lived and fought in Turkey. Intriguing and of interest to people researching the Sea Peoples. This may be a bit technical at times. Somewhat more technical than his "Flood from Heaven" book.

We just completed our turkey trip, fantastic. Our guide recommended.

Great!

One of the most interesting books I have read in my whole life. No exaggeration. I'm very impressed. I believe Zangger will be very famous for this, if he is not already.If excavation done properly, Troia plains will be new Gobeklitepe."Sea people" always puzzled me. Finally someone put a valid, logical answer. Congratulations...

Very enjoyable book about the Luwian civilisation which wasn’t known or not investigated as much as the other civilisations in the Bronze Age but just as important if not a greater civilisation the world forgot

Wonderfully written book, it's a real eye opener. Correcting so many well known and biased 'facts' about ancient civilisations. A must read for people who are interested in ancient history.

Siempre es interesante leer sobre el cambio de la edad de Bronce a la de Hierro. Buen recorrido por los pueblos de Anatomía.