Chapter 03 of 5
The Supply Chain Snap
Discover how a broken supply chain ended an era of empires.
- Ancient Alchemy
The Bronze Recipe
Bronze was the era's peak technology, made by smelting nine parts copper with one part tin. Without tin, the gears of civilization simply stopped turning.
- Material Scarcity
The Copper Giant
Copper was abundant, primarily sourced from the mines of Cyprus. However, copper alone is too soft for durable tools or effective weapons.
- The Tin Mystery
A Rare Ingredient
Tin was the era's 'oil.' It was incredibly rare and often had to be transported from as far as Afghanistan or even Britain.
17 more cards in this chapter
Could you answer this?
Why was the shortage of tin so devastating to Bronze Age civilizations?
🏺 The Bronze Age Collapse
- 01The Globalized WorldDiscover the first era of globalization and its mysterious, sudden downfall.
- 02The Sea PeoplesUncovering the shadowy raiders who toppled ancient civilizations.
- 03The Supply Chain SnapDiscover how a broken supply chain ended an era of empires.
- 04The Dark AgeExplore the multi-century silence when writing and empires vanished from the earth.
- 05The Iron DawnScarcity births innovation as tin shortages end the Bronze Age and forge the world of iron.