The linked article
below, taken from the web site, Archaeologica, is about the eruption of
Santorini in the Eastern Mediterranean around 1600 B.C. and its dating.
Fixing just when ancient
volcanic eruptions took place is very difficult because those researching are
challenged by the evidence they do find.
In the case of this one
it appears that the presence of bean weevils in sealed storage jars allows them
to fix not just a period of a few years but also the season.
This rather invites the
joke, Waiter
theres a weevil in my soup to which the reply must be, then would you like
a date to go with it, but this is a serious matter.
One big unexpected bang
triggered the end of a number of complicated and growing civilisations. It does not need a volcano to be the big
bang, humanity is all too capable of producing one of its own.
So when we look at the
situation in Greece today and in other places around the Mediterranean we ought
to start thinking.
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