Bronze Age

Definition: The Bronze Age followed the Neolithic and the Paleolithic in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. These early ages were periods when people used stone implements. The Bronze Age was the beginning or the era in which metals were used. The first part of the Bronze Age may be called the Calcolithic referring to the use of pure copper and stone tools. Copper was known in Anatolia by 6500 B.C. It wasn't until the second millennium B.C. that bronze (copper and tin alloy) came into general use. In about 1000 B.C. the Bronze Age ended and the iron age began. Before the end of the Bronze Age iron was rare and used for decorative items and possibly coins. Determining when the Bronze Age ended and the Iron Age began therefore takes into account the relative preponderance of these metals.