The Metal Ages is a term for the period of human civilization beginning around 6,000 years ago in which metallurgy rapidly advanced and human populations started using metals such as copper, tin, bronze and finally iron, to make tools and weapons. By heating and shaping metals in hot furnaces, people also learned to use precious metals such as gold and silver to make intricate jewellery.[1][2]

With these technological adaptions, human society became more productive and human settlements became larger and more prosperous, but also more violent.[3] The Metal Ages are loosely divided into three stages: the Copper Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age.[1][2]

References

  1. ^ a b "The Metal Ages" (PDF). Generalitat de Catalunya. Oxford University Press.
  2. ^ a b "The Metal Ages". Encyclopedia Britannica.
  3. ^ Graeber, D. (2014). Debt: The first 5,000 years.
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