Bronze Age

The Bronze age was the period from 3300 BC to 1200 BC when people used bronze for everything. The Bronze age comes after the stone age but before the Iron Age. In the stone age, the flint was shaped and used as a weapon and tool whereas, during the Bronze age period, the stone was gradually replaced by bronze. The Bronze could further be mixed into molds to form useful items. The Bronze age period marks the beginning of the period when humans first started using metals. The day at which the bronze age marks its beginning differs with regions. For example, in Greece and China, the Bronze Age period began before 3000 BCE, whereas in Britain it did not start until about 1900 BCE.

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What does Bronze Age Civilization Mean?

The Bronze age is a term used to describe a period in the ancient world that spanned from 3300 BC to 1200 BC. The Bronze age civilization period saw the emergence of increasingly civilized ancient states, some of which evolved into eminent empires. It was a period in which long-distance trade networks and diplomatic exchange between the states became a permanent outlook of political, cultural, and economic life in the eastern Mediterranean region. In short, it was the period during which civilization itself spread and flourished across the area.

What were The Early Bronze Age Tools?

Ancient Sumers were the first civilizations that added tin and copper to make bronze. The Bronze is considered to be the best metal for making tools and weapons. According to archaeologists, the transformation from copper to metal took place around 3000 B.C. The Bronze age tools such as Stone and Clay molds were used in the early Bronze age for casting metal objects. For example, a flat stone carved with a hollow negative shape would have been used as a mold for spears and axes. The other elaborated molds that were used to shape other objects include palstaves or flanged axe heads and socketed axe heads. These tools were used to chop trees to make room for agriculture. Following are the stone tools used by the people during the early bronze age:

• “Barbed and Tanged” Arrowhead:  This stone tool is attached to the wooden shafts to make arrows for hunting.

• Piercers - It is used for making small holes in things such as wood, bone, or leather.

• Side Scrapers: It is used for cleaning animal skins to make leather.

• Edge-Trimmed Knives: It is attached to wooden handles and used for cutting knives.

• Thumbnail Scrapers: It is used for creating small objects or carvings.

Bronze Age Timeline

3700 BC

The Bronze Age started in different parts of the world at different times. The procedure of combining copper and tin moves slowly from place to place. Also, many areas had no tin and/or copper to make the new metal.

3769 BC: Near and The Middle East 

Bronze was already in use during this time. It is still not exactly determined where or how bronze was first discovered. By around 3500 BC, farm tools and weapons were being made of this new metal in these areas.

3500 BC: Bronze Age Begins in Bohemia 

The Bronze during this period is being used in the Mediterranean and Eastern European areas. This new metal is expensive to make. Also, a craftsman is needed to make this new alloy.

2500 BC: Indus Valley (About 2500 BC)

In India, the Indus Valley civilization is a large early trading center. Bronze tools, weapons, statuary, jewelry, and even toys have been discovered during this time period.

2400 BC: China (About 2400 BC)

The population of Longshan in China lived from around 3000 BC to 2400 BC. Toward the end of this period, these people started using bronze to make tools and weapons.

2300 BC: Europe 

The Bronze Age in Europe starts about 2300 BC. Few tools were made in the beginning, but by 1200 BC bronze had replaced all stone tools.

2000 BC: Britain

Bronze starts to be used in Britain. Eventually, the people in Britain made items such as axe heads, knives, spearheads, razors, and swords. The vast use of bronze continues to about 500 BC.

1700 BC: Yellow River Valley 

The Shang Dynasty of China uses bronze regularly. They even set up bronze-working communities. The wife of King Wuding named Lady Hao, died around 1200 BC and is buried with many items for the afterlife including bronze vessels, armor, bells, tools, knives, and tigers.

1650 BC: Mycenaean Civilization 

The Mycenaean civilization, presently located in Greece, used bronze until about 1100 BC. The southern coastal community of Phylos had employed almost 400 laborers for their bronze-working industry.

1640 BC: Egypt 

The Egyptians didn't use bronze until they were founded by the Hyksos around 1640 BC. The chariots and weapons made from bronze are brought by Hyksos.

1500 BC: Start of the Middle Bronze Age (About 1500 BC)

During this period, the Bronze was found in Western Europe. The use of bronze in undeveloped areas of Northern Europe did not start until about 1000 BC.

1250 BC: Alps and Central and Eastern Europe 

During this time, bronze swords and helmets were made in these areas.

1122 BC: Yellow River Area, China 

After the Shang Dynasty got defeated, the Chou Dynasty continued to use bronze-working techniques until iron was introduced after 770 BC.

1000 BC: Korea 

The Chinese during this period introduced bronze-working to the Koreans around 1000 BC.

300 BC: Japan 

The Japanese during this period were using bronze and iron tools that may have been brought over from South Korea. Though it developed slowly, the Bronze Age was an incredible time of technological development that helped early civilizations to flourish and expand.