Bronze Age Definition

During prehistory there was the so-called age of metals, a stage that represented a qualitative leap in the history of metallurgy in particular and of technology in general. This period is the one that followed the Stone Age, when the human being began to manufacture objects of metal cast to replace tools made of stone. The Metal Age has three sub-sections: Copper Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age.

General features of the Bronze Age

This period of prehistory took place between 1700 and 800 BC. C. approximately. Its name has an obvious reason: the utensils used in everyday life are made from the alloy of copper and tin, which produces bronze. This metal is harder than copper and because of this it was very useful to make resistant objects, especially weapons.

It is believed that the invention of bronze took place in the Middle East and from this territory it gradually expanded. One of the consequences of the use of this metal was the emergence in Crete of the civilization

Mycenaean, since the Achaean soldiers occupied this territory thanks to the fact that their bronze swords were more resistant than those of their enemies. On the other hand, the production of bronze intensified the Commerce and progress cultural throughout the Mediterranean. During this period, the people who dominated the manufacturing made of bronze they became a powerful and prestigious people.

The search for tin mines for the manufacture of bronze became a strategic issue for the different peoples who were trying to impose themselves militarily.

Bronze technology was introduced into all activities of daily life: handicrafts, weapon making or ornamentation in funeral rituals. Bronze-based technology is the key to understanding the social and cultural changes that occurred in Europe and Asia. It should be noted that in the metallurgical societies there were profound changes in everything related to the specialization of work.

From a point of view purely artistic, bronze sculptures were the most characteristic creative element of this period.

From bronze to iron

Bronze replaced copper and in time bronze was replaced by a new, even stronger metal, iron. The Iron Age is the period of prehistory prior to the appearance of the writing. Iron technology revolutionized the manufacture of utensils, especially those used in military, agricultural and livestock activities.

Photo: Fotolia - Morphart

Bronze Age themes