Iron Age

This article is about the archaeological period known as the Iron Age; for the mythological Iron Age see Ages of Man.

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In archaeology, the Iron Age is the stage in the development of any people where the use of iron implements as tools and weapons is prominent. The adoption of this new material coincided with other changes in past societies often including differing agricultural practices, religious beliefs and artistic styles.

Related Topics:
Archaeology - Iron

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The Iron Age is the last principal period in the three-age system for classifying pre-historic societies and its meaning varies depending on the country or geographical region. This variation even occurs within Europe where the Iron Age distinction was first identified; the Nordic Iron Age and Roman Iron Age are examples. The Iron Age was preceded by the Copper Age and later the Bronze Age in Europe and Asia whilst in the rest of the world it was adopted directly after one or other sub-phases of the Stone Age.

Related Topics:
Three-age system - Pre-historic - Nordic - Roman Iron Age - Copper Age - Bronze Age - Stone Age

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For each individual region, the period is very hard to state in years, but the Iron Age corresponds to the stage at which iron production was the most sophisticated form of metalworking. Iron's hardness, high melting point and the abundance of iron ore sources made iron more desirable and "cheaper" than bronze and contributed greatly to its adoption as the most commonly used metal. The arrival of iron use in various areas is listed below, broadly in chronological order.

Related Topics:
Metalworking - Iron ore

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In the Americas and Australasia, there is no Iron Age, since iron working was introduced by European colonists.

Related Topics:
Americas - Australasia

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