I don't think it is that much in doubt. This comparison of Mycenean and Philistine pottery decorative motifs by Israeli archaeologist, Amihai Mazar, shows that the latter clearly was influenced by the former.
![[Image: potterymotif.jpg~original]](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=i4.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy108%2Frschilla%2Fresearch%2Fpotterymotif.jpg~original)
Excavations at the Canaanite coastal cities show clear evidence of destruction c 1150 BC and replacement of Canaanite culture with the more Hellenic forms of the Sea People.
There is very little doubt that massive population movements did in the Late Bronze Age empires. The Myceneans, Hitties, Cypriots, all were overrun and the Egyptians survived only barely...and began a thousand year slide to oblivion. Not so coincidentally, the layer known as Troy VIIa went up in flames c 1190 BC which is consistent with the start of Sea People deprivations. Not Achilles. Just some smelly Hellenic barbarians. Of course, you couldn't expect Homer to write that story down!
Excavations at the Canaanite coastal cities show clear evidence of destruction c 1150 BC and replacement of Canaanite culture with the more Hellenic forms of the Sea People.
There is very little doubt that massive population movements did in the Late Bronze Age empires. The Myceneans, Hitties, Cypriots, all were overrun and the Egyptians survived only barely...and began a thousand year slide to oblivion. Not so coincidentally, the layer known as Troy VIIa went up in flames c 1190 BC which is consistent with the start of Sea People deprivations. Not Achilles. Just some smelly Hellenic barbarians. Of course, you couldn't expect Homer to write that story down!
