1590s BC

The 1590s BC was a decade that began on January 1, 1599 BC, and ended on December 31, 1590 BC. It falls within the Late Bronze Age.

Significant Events and Developments (Approximate):

• c. 1595 BC: The Hittite king Mursili I sacks Babylon, bringing an end to the Hammurabi Dynasty and contributing to a period of instability in Mesopotamia. This event is a key point in Mesopotamian chronology, though its exact dating is debated.
• c. 1590 BC: (Approximate) The Kassites, a people from the Zagros Mountains, gain control of Babylon following the Hittite raid. They would rule Babylonia for several centuries.
• Continuing Development of Bronze Age Technology: The decade likely saw ongoing advancements in bronze metallurgy, weaponry, and agricultural techniques across various regions.
• Political and Social Changes: Small kingdoms and city-states continued to vie for power in regions like the Levant, Anatolia, and the Aegean.

Notes on Chronology:

Dates from this period are often approximate and based on interpretations of archaeological evidence and ancient texts. There is ongoing scholarly debate surrounding the exact chronological placement of events in the Bronze Age, particularly those prior to the later part of the second millennium BC. Radiocarbon dating and other scientific methods contribute to refining these dates, but discrepancies and uncertainties remain.