The Bronze Age (2300 BCE – 600 BCE)

The Bronze Age gets its name because it is the

period when the development and use of metal
(Bronze) became widespread through many parts
of the world.

The development and production of Bronze tools

and artefacts seems to have first occurred in the
area which is now North Africa and the Middle
East, however it
moved swiftly
throughout
Europe and by
A Bronze Pot showing how developed and
2000 BCE many
sophisticated peoples’ metal working skills were
during the period.
cultures had
developed smelting
works com combine Copper and Tin ores (found naturally in rocks in
the ground) to make Bronze.

Bronze became a valuable asset and was used to make advanced

weapons and tools as well as ornamental objects and jewellery.

With an increase in wealth, societies became much more diverse and

hierarchical with distinct differences between poor and rich. Kings Examples of Bronze weaponry
and Queens emerged and grew large collections of Bronze objects to
show their wealth and power.

The Iron Age (600 BCE –

400 AD)
In archaeology, the Iron Age refers to the period when
cutting tools and weapons were mainly made out of Iron or
Steel.

The use of this metal also coincided with many dramatic

changes in society such as more advanced agricultural
practices involves basic metal and wooden machinery and
the emergence of religions such as Christianity, Hinduism
and Buddhism.

Iron age amour used in battle

For archaeologists, this is a crossover period they share with historians. Since societies had
begun to develop advanced writing techniques, Historians are able to analyses information from
the time about what life was like while archaeologists can dig up artefacts. We know much more
about life during the Iron Age than periods beforehand because both archaeologists and
historians can find evidence to help explain what it was like.

In Britain, the Iron age coincides with the invasion of the Romans and the development of large
towns and cities such as London and Norwich.

An example of san Iron Age fort which survives in Scotland even today.

Complex defensive forts were built such as the one at Barbury Castle near Swindon. Houses
were increasingly made of stone and places of worship such as churches were developed with the
expansion of religion (especially Christianity).