For decades, the history of the Late Bronze Age Mediterranean has centered on Egypt, Greece, and the Hittite Empire. But recent archaeological surveys in western Turkey suggest a far more complex picture. Hundreds of large, previously understudied settlements are now identified as belonging to a network of powerful, independent states – collectively dubbed the “Luwian states” – that may have rivaled their better-known neighbors.
The Missing Piece of the Puzzle
Traditionally, the Bronze Age (roughly 2000–1200 BC) is understood through the lens of major civilizations like the Egyptians, Mycenaeans, and Hittites. Yet, Eberhard Zangger, a leading researcher in Luwian studies, argues that this overlooks a substantial political force operating in modern-day western Turkey. For years, satellite imagery hinted at numerous large sites, but dating their occupation proved difficult until now.
Over the past decade, Zangger and his team systematically reviewed Turkish excavation reports and visited sites to confirm their Bronze Age activity. Their database, published today, details 483 settlements – each at least 100 meters in diameter and containing significant Bronze Age pottery. These weren’t small villages; they were substantial communities with hundreds of residents thriving for centuries.
The Luwian States: A Mycenaean Parallel?
Zangger proposes that these settlements formed a series of small, independent states, mirroring the fragmented political landscape of Mycenaean Greece. The states, known as the Luwian states, have been largely overlooked because Turkish archaeology traditionally focused on individual sites rather than regional connections.
The evidence aligns with historical records. One kingdom, Arzawa, is known to have corresponded with Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep III as a “Great King” during a period when the Hittites were weakened. This indicates the region already wielded significant influence. However, many Luwian sites remain buried beneath later settlements, making full excavation a decades-long effort.
A Role in the Collapse?
More controversially, Zangger suggests that the Luwian states may have even played a role in destabilizing the entire eastern Mediterranean. He speculates that a Luwian coalition may have contributed to the fall of the Hittite Empire around 3200 years ago, possibly even launching attacks on Egypt. This theory links the Luwians to the mysterious “Sea Peoples,” a group often blamed for widespread destruction during the Late Bronze Age collapse.
While other researchers like Guy Middleton caution that the story is far more complex, Zangger points to an intriguing parallel: the Trojan War. The decade-long siege of Troy, a city in Luwian territory, seems disproportionate if the Greeks faced only a single, small city. Zangger argues that the legend reflects a larger conflict against a powerful Luwian coalition, making the myth more plausible within its historical context.
The debate is ongoing, and further excavation is needed. Yet, the growing evidence suggests that the Bronze Age Mediterranean was far more crowded with power players than previously imagined.
The Luwian states, once relegated to the footnotes of history, may have been a major force in their own right.
