There are different views. I support the view that:
-the Ekwesh were Akhaians (Greeks)
-the Peleshet were Pelasgians from Crete and became the Phillistines in the Levant
-the Sherden/Sharden were Sardinians
The Pelasgians were not Greek but spoke a related Indo-European language.
Regarding the Sherden: The Egyptian reliefs (see below) show them with round shields, horned helmets and long swords. All seem introductions from Europe to the Levant.
Sherden
Sherden-like warriors are attested in Sardinia but the question is : are they attested earlier in Sardinia than the Levant ? The socalled bronzetti ( bronze figurines) of Sardinia show warriors with horned helmets , round shields and long swords :
Sardinian bronzetti
Long sword from Sardinia,late second or early first millenium BC.
The problem is that these bronzetti are from c. 900-800BC, which is about 300 years after the Egyptian reliefs. For some this serves as an argument that Sherden warriors went to Sardinia from the Levant.
On the other hand….the Sherden were described as sea-wanderers by the Egyptians and linked to isles. Also, there is evidence which is closer to the times of the Sea Peoples and indicates Sherden-like warriors in 13th century Sardinia. For example: The south of Corsica is about 10 km from Sardinia and had virtually the same culture (nuragic culture). Here we find menhirs depicting warriors with horned helmets and the long sword. They can be dated to c.1200 BC. which supports the view that the Sherden were from Sardinia.
Edited by Sander - 04-Apr-2011 at 16:03