Around 1200 BCE, major Mediterranean civilisations began collapsing; scientists have now reconstructed the climate conditions surrounding the crisis

A new study suggests prolonged drought pressured eastern Mediterranean societies. This drying significantly affected agriculture and food security across the region. Drought acted as a threat multiplier, worsening existing societal challenges. Warfare and invasions interacted with environmental stress during this period. Understanding past climate pressures informs our view of societal vulnerability.