When was the Mahabharata war fought ? Depending on whom you ask you
will get various answers. One answer is around the year 3000BC. This
comes from the “following logic”:http://www.encyclopediaofauthentichinduism.org/articles/51_the_bhartiya_chronology.

bq. Lord Krishn ascended to His Divine abode at the end of dwaparyug
and immediately kaliyug started in 3102 BC. Krishn lived for over 125 years. He descended on the earth planet in 3228 BC. The Pandavas, after winning the Mahabharat war, ruled for 36 years and 8 months. Accordingly, the date of Mahabharat war comes to 3139 BC.

What was happening in the world at that time. The Sumerians had
invented the wheel. The Egyptians had started mummification, had
started writing and built the first ships. There were settlements in
the Indus Valley by then. But there is no archeological proof for this
date.

In “Finding The Past”:http://www.newindpress.com/sunday/sundayitems.asp?id=SEC20030329055837&eTitle=Columns&rLink=0 Nandita Krishna writes about the archeological work done in search of Krishna.

bq. Iron objects numbering 135, and which included arrow and spearheads, shafts, tongs, hooks, axes and knives indicate the existence of a vigorous industry. There are indications of brick-lined roads and drainage systems, and an agro-livestock based economy. The PGW of Hastinapura has been assigned to 1100-800 BC. The events of the Mahabharata probably occurred around 1000-900 BC.

What was happening in the world at that time ? According to Encarta(c)

bq. Indigenous religious traditions emerge in Southeast Asia. Primarily animistic, they share a fundamental belief that a spiritual dimension beyond human senses also animates the material world. Therefore, places and objects possess a real spiritual identity and meaning. That was also the time of King Solomon (961 – 922 BC). The first documented historical figure of India, Buddha, would not appear for another 400 years.

I am glad that there is someone doing archeological excavations to
study our ancient stories. Using science to find the reality behind
mythology is exciting.