This Element highlights the coastal and island communities of the central Mediterranean as key actors in long-distance exchange networks with the Aegean and eastern Mediterranean during the Bronze Age. It presents a dynamic, interconnected landscape of people, goods, and ideas, emphasising multidirectional and multiscalar interactions and their impact on exchange and social identities. Organised thematically, geographically, and chronologically, it offers accessible insights for both specialists and non-specialists, combining detailed archaeological evidence with critical interpretation. The Element underscores the role of local conditions in shaping long-distance Bronze Age exchange networks and fostering social and cultural connections across the Mediterranean, opening fresh perspectives on exchange and identity.