Robert Drews argues that massed infantry used newly developed weapons and armor .192 ff Cast rather than forged spearheads and long swords , a revolutionizing cut-and-thrust weapon , and javelins were used . The appearance of bronze foundries suggest `` that mass production of bronze artifacts was suddenly important in the Aegean '' . Robert Drews argues that the appearance of massed infantry , using newly developed weapons and armor , such as cast rather than forged spearheads and long swords , a revolutionizing cut-and-thrust weapon , and javelins , and the appearance of bronze foundries , suggest `` that mass production of bronze artifacts was suddenly important in the Aegean '' .