The Bronze Age “Tempest Stela” Weather Report & Santorini’s Thera

The Tempest Stela and Bronze Age Chronology

Subject: Analysis of the "Tempest Stela" and its potential impact on Bronze Age chronology.

Executive Summary:

A new interpretation of the "Tempest Stela," a 3,500-year-old Egyptian stone block, suggests it may be the world's oldest weather report, describing severe weather events potentially linked to the volcanic eruption at Thera (Santorini). This connection, if valid, could revise the dating of the reign of Pharaoh Ahmose, pushing it back by 30-50 years. This shift would have significant ramifications for the established chronology of the ancient Near East and Eastern Mediterranean, potentially resolving discrepancies between archaeological evidence and radiocarbon dating and offering new insights into the rise and fall of Bronze Age empires.