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In archaeology, the Iron Age was the stage in the development of any people in which tools and weapons whose main ingredient was iron were prominent. The adoption of this material often coincided with other changes in society, including differing agricultural practices, religious beliefs and artistic styles.
In history, the Iron Age is the last principal period in the three-age system for classifying prehistoric societies, preceded by the Bronze Age. Its date and context vary depending on the country or geographical region.
No firm ending date is set for the Iron Age in any particular society; there is simply a point where archaeology becomes less important than surviving history and traditions. Iron alloys remain popular as the steels in most metallic objects.
Classically, the Iron Age is taken to begin in the 12th century BCE in the ancient Near East, ancient Iran, ancient India, and ancient Greece. In other regions of Europe, it started much later, while in central Anatolia it started earlier: The Hittites used the first iron in the 14th century BCE. The Iron Age began in the 8th century BCE in central Europe and the 6th century BCE in northern Europe.
The Iron Age is usually said to end in the Mediterranean with the onset of historical tradition during Hellenism and the Roman Empire, and in Northern Europe with the early Middle Ages.
In history, the Iron Age is the last principal period in the three-age system for classifying prehistoric societies, preceded by the Bronze Age. Its date and context vary depending on the country or geographical region.
No firm ending date is set for the Iron Age in any particular society; there is simply a point where archaeology becomes less important than surviving history and traditions. Iron alloys remain popular as the steels in most metallic objects.
Classically, the Iron Age is taken to begin in the 12th century BCE in the ancient Near East, ancient Iran, ancient India, and ancient Greece. In other regions of Europe, it started much later, while in central Anatolia it started earlier: The Hittites used the first iron in the 14th century BCE. The Iron Age began in the 8th century BCE in central Europe and the 6th century BCE in northern Europe.
The Iron Age is usually said to end in the Mediterranean with the onset of historical tradition during Hellenism and the Roman Empire, and in Northern Europe with the early Middle Ages.
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Articles
Article
It is likely that many people in Iron Age Britain would have died from diseases as babies or children. Many of those people who survived to be adults rarely lived beyond the ages of 35-45. Only about a third of all adults lived longer. Studies of the bones of Iron Age people suggest that at least a quarter suffered from arthritis in their backs from... [continue reading]
Article
The people of Iron Age Britain were physically very similar to many modern Europeans and there is no reason to suppose that all Iron Age Britons had the same hair colour, eye colour or skin complexion. Iron Age Britons spoke one or more Celtic language, which probably spread to Britain through trade and contacts between people rather than by the invasion... [continue reading]
Article
The history of iron and Damascus steels is described through the eyes of ancient blacksmiths. For example, evidence is presented that questions why the Iron Age could not have begun at about the same time as the early Bronze Age (i.e. approximately 7000 B.C.). It is also clear that ancient blacksmiths had enough information from their forging work, together... [continue reading]
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1550 BCE - 1069 BCEThe New Kingdom of Egypt.
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c. 200 BCEIron in the Celtic world experiences a significant boom. Iron manufacturing increase in all facets of life such as weapon construction and agriculture items.
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