History Tour: The Bronze Age World - Atlas Obscura Lists
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History Tour: The Bronze Age World

Exploring the time when humankind got its act together.

by Jonathan Carey, Associate Places Editor
16 Places

The Bronze Age is thought of as the beginning of humanity’s ascent into modernity. Copper had been alloyed with other metals to form hard, durable bronze in various places before, but it wasn’t until this time, beginning around 3300 B.C., that it really began to supplant stone for tools and weapons for good. That shift gave the period its name, but a lot happened then—the rise of urban civilization, written language, various forms of the wheel, and more. 

The Bronze Age also saw the rise of centralized governments and kingdoms, as well as the spread of trade, which saw societies interact and exchange ideas. From the Sumerian, Assyrian, and Babylonian polities in the Near East to the Minoans on Crete, to the Indus Valley in South Asia and various other cultures across Europe and East Asia, the Bronze Age was when the general outlines of the world we know began to be inscribed, across a wide swath of the planet. It ended—depending on where one was in the world—with the spread of iron metallurgy, which took place in Europe and the Near East in the 11th century B.C. The innovations of this period remain with us today, as do some amazing places and remarkable objects that can still be seen.  

Santorini, Greece

Prehistoric Town of Akrotiri

The Minoan Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri was once the most important urban center and port in the Aegean Sea. The city was advanced, with elaborate drainage systems and homes with indoor toilets. Sometime between the 16th and 17th century B.C., earthquakes forced the city’s inhabitants to evacuate, although some may have remained. Not long after, a massive volcano on the island erupted, burying Akrotiri under ash. The ashfall made the ancient city one of the most well-preserved Bronze Age settlements, and it’s also believed Akrotiri was an inspiration behind—you guessed it—Plato's Atlantis.
urvijabanerji Added by urvijabanerji
Oxfordshire, England

Uffington White Horse

This magnificent geoglyph was thought to be from the time of the legendary Saxon kings, but later work has shown it to be much older. The horse was created using crushed chalk and dates back more than 3,000 years ago. It's believed to have been a fertility symbol or territorial marker of sorts. For thousands of years, groups have maintained the symbol by replacing the chalk, a practice that continues today.
thelichens Added by thelichens
Hillah, Iraq

Babylon

Around 2300 B.C., the legendary city of Babylon was founded by the Akkadian-speaking people of southern Mesopotamia. The city earned its vast historical reputation with the rise of King Hammurabi, who transformed it into a major military and political power. He conquered nearby city-states to expand his kingdom and introduced the first set of written laws. Under Hammurabi, the foundation was set for Babylon to become the hub of one of the most influential civilizations of antiquity.
Allison Added by Allison
Puerto de Mazarrón, Spain

Phoenician Ships of Mazarrón

The ancient Phoenecians were heralded as some of the greatest seafarers and shipbuilders of the Bronze Age. Spain’s National Museum of Underwater Archaeology contains the 7th-century B.C. “Mazarrón 1,” believed to be one of the oldest of their ships ever discovered. Composed of several types of wood, it’s believed the small vessel was used to transfer cargo to and from larger ships offshore.
Dr Alan P Newman Added by Dr Alan P Newman
Stanton Lees, England

Nine Ladies Stone Circle

As with most Bronze Age stone circles, little is known about why these stones were erected. The formation is between 3,000 and 4,000 years old, and may represent an ancient burial or spiritual site. The stones have since become associated with a common folktale: about nine women dancing on the Sabbath to the music of a fiddler, the King Stone, who were instantly transformed to stone.
Capemarsh Added by Capemarsh
Ballyedmonduff, Ireland

Ballyedmonduff Wedge Tomb

Along Two Rock Mountain is a magnificent example of a Bronze Age wedge tomb. These tombs were commonplace in the region from the Late Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age. Also known as gallery tombs, they were often filled with the cremated remains of the deceased and can be found all across Ireland. This tomb is known locally as the “The Giant’s Grave,” and was uncovered in the early 19th century.
noeldonnellon Added by noeldonnellon
Boge, Sweden

Tjelvar's Grave

Stone ships like this were used for burials throughout Scandinavia and other parts of Europe during the later Viking Age. Tjelvar's Grave is one of the more unique of its kind—and dates back much further. It is a key site in the saga of Tjelvar, a mighty hero who tamed a living island to become the first king of Gotland. However, modern researchers discovered that the structure dates to the early Nordic Bronze Age. Perhaps the hero wasn’t so mythical after all?
CoolCrab Added by CoolCrab
Oviedo, Spain

The Green Skeleton

In the Archeological Museum of Asturias resides a skeleton with an otherworldly look. During the Bronze Age a variety of burial techniques and rituals emerged, including more personalized, individual burials. This changed how humanity handled death. This skeleton was discovered in an ancient copper mine. Over the millennia, the bones absorbed copper sulfate from the mine, giving it a greenish hue.
Monsieur Mictlan Added by Monsieur Mictlan
Argolis, Greece

Mycenae

Mycenae is a shining example of Bronze Age society. The advanced Mediterranean civilization’s influence spread across far and wide because of its vast trade network. The Mycenaean civilization had a massive influence on later Greek culture, as several Greek legends and myths find their roots there. One of the best known is the tale of the king Agamemnon, who led a campaign against the city of Troy.
ShannonMDunn Added by ShannonMDunn