Chronology of the Seima-Turbino bronzes, early Shang Dynasty and Santorini eruption

Abstract

Abstract Seima-Turbino bronzes spread in Eurasia at the transition to the Late Bronze Age. However, the absolute chronology of this horizon remains unclear. Radiocarbon chronology now determines their interval to have been ca. 22 nd –20 th centuries BC, or the first third of the 2 nd millennium BC. The presence of this tradition from Europe to China makes it possible to associate them with historical chronology. The basis for this is the chronologies of the early Shang Dynasty in China, Central Europe and the Shaft Graves of Greece. The Santorini eruption presents an opportunity to compare these chronologies. As a result, the Seima-Turbino bronzes are dated to the first half of the 17 th century BC, or within the 18 th century BC to the first half of the 16 th century BC. This suggests that as the radiocarbon method develops, its results will be close to historical chronology.