Bronze Age

Bronze Age

The Bronze Age is a historical period characterized by the use of bronze, early writing systems, and other early features of urban civilization. The Bronze Age is the second principal period of the three-age system, as proposed in modern times by Christian Jürgensen Thomsen, for classifying and studying ancient societies.

Introduction

An ancient period of time, the Bronze Age marked the first time humans started to work with metal. Bronze tools and weapons soon replaced earlier stone versions. Humans during the Bronze Age were becoming more sophisticated at manipulating their environment.

Chronology

The Bronze Age varies in time depending on the region. In ancient Near Eastern societies, the Bronze Age spans from around 3300 to 1200 BC. In ancient Greece, the Bronze Age spans from around 3000 to 1200 BC. In other parts of the world, such as China and parts of South Asia, the Bronze Age began later and lasted longer.

Bronze Age Civilizations

During the Bronze Age, several civilizations began to emerge around the world. Some of the most notable include the Ancient Egyptians, the Indus Valley Civilization, the Aegean Civilization, and the Shang Dynasty in China.

Bronze Age Technology

The defining characteristic of the Bronze Age is the use of bronze, a metal alloy made from copper and tin. This was a significant advancement in technology, as bronze tools and weapons were far superior to those made of stone or copper.

End of the Bronze Age

The end of the Bronze Age is associated with the advent of the Iron Age. The transition was not sudden, but a gradual process of discovery and refinement of iron working techniques.

See Also

• Copper Age
• Iron Age
• History of Metallurgy
• Three-age system