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Input Shortages and the Lack of Sustainability of Bronze Production by the Únĕtice

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  • Svizzero, Serge
  • Tisdell, Clem

Abstract

After a long period of prosperity, the Únĕtice (2300-1600 BC) – a central European Early Bronze Age culture –collapsed without obvious reason. Thus, the academic literature has favored multiple explanations but without providing much evidence of the latter. Our aim is to provide an empirically grounded explanation consistent with the features of this culture. We claim that the 1600 BC collapse could be the result of simultaneous shortages of two main inputs of the bronze production process, namely tin and fuel. Periodical tin shortages are possible because Únĕtician were using tin alluvial deposits. Moreover, the production of bronze requires huge quantities of wood and charcoal used as fuel, leading to deforestation. Evidence of deforestation around 1600 BC is provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Svizzero, Serge & Tisdell, Clem, 2016. "Input Shortages and the Lack of Sustainability of Bronze Production by the Únĕtice," Economics, Ecology and Environment Working Papers 249336, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:uqseee:249336
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.249336
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    File URL: https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/249336/files/WP202.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tisdell, Clem & Svizzero, Serge, 2015. "The Collapse of Some Ancient Societies Due to Unsustainable Mining Development (A Draft)," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 202543, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    2. Clement Allan Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2015. "The Collapse of Some Ancient Societies Due to Unsustainable Mining Development," Working Papers hal-02152043, HAL.
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    Cited by:

    1. Serge Svizzero & Clement Allan Tisdell, 2016. "The Economic Development and the Rise and Fall of Únĕtice Populations: A Case of Ecologically Unsustainable Economic Growth? Initial Thoughts," Post-Print hal-01450827, HAL.
    2. Clement Allan Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2018. "The Economic Rise and Fall of the Silesian Únĕtice Cultural Population : a Case of Ecologically Unsustainable Development ?," Post-Print hal-02145471, HAL.

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    Community/Rural/Urban Development;

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