Divisions of Ages Based on Metals
by Rit NosotroChange Over Time essay
Describe the divisions of ages based on metals. Is it valid to talk about stone, bronze, iron, etc. ages?
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Summary:
Historians have always found ways to classify ages of the world’s history. Most often they use metals (or other materials) that were in common, if not exclusive, use at the time. However, one can also question the validity of this method. A look at the Stone, Bronze, and Iron ages and how they got their names can help determine this.
In a Biblical (or “young earth”) view of history, the Stone Age lasted from approximately 6000 B.C. to 2000 B.C. At this time stone was used for everything from weapons to household items. The Stone Age is often divided into three sections: Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic. Pottery appears in the Neolithic portion of the Stone Age and copper ore was also discovered. Later, copper ore was mixed with tin to form Bronze and thus the civilization that that had done this had entered a new age: The Bronze Age.
The Bronze Age signaled a major intellectual leap for each civilization that achieved it. At first bronze was only used decoratively because many civilizations did not have the copper ore to produce large quantities of it. Gradually, as copper ore became more plentiful, bronze replaced stone as the material of choice for weapons, tools, and the like. Civilizations began their bronze ages at different times, with some as early as 2500 B.C. and others not until 1000 A.D.
To make iron, new technology had to be invented and when a civilization did this, it signaled another intellectual leap for their society. Iron was made by heating the ore with charcoal to very high temperatures then pounding and reheating again. The biggest advantage iron had on bronze was that iron ore was more widespread, which made it cheaper. As with the Bronze Age, the Iron Ages of different civilizations began at different times. Most civilizations were using iron by 1000 B.C. However, when Caesar conquered Britain in 54 B.C., the Scandinavian countries had yet to discover iron. Other peoples never discovered it at all.
Although many would say the world is now in the Space Age, this is not the case historically speaking. No new metal has taken the world a giant leap forward like bronze and iron did. When thought of like this, the world is still in the Iron Age. Iron remains a major component of our technology, although its uses and form have advanced some. Steel is a very widely used material today but it still has its basis in iron. Therefore, the world will remain in the Iron Age until the discovery of a new technology of metal that will take the world yet another step forward.
Asking the question of whether or not it is accurate to make divisions of ages based on metals is valid. However, this question needs to be clarified a little. If a person were to describe the ages of a civilization, and not the world, using this distinction, it would be more valid because different civilizations achieved different technologies at different times. In the case of some people groups, certain technologies were never discovered at all. Ages of the world can be loosely grouped based on metals that defined that age, however, ages of a civilization can be accurately grouped based on metals that defined the ages of that civilization.
Quick Quiz
1. What are the names of the three ages the Stone Age is divided into?
a) Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic
b) Stonolithic, Monolithic, Duolithic
c) Paleolithic, Monolithic, Neolithic
d) Botolithic, Monolithic, Neolithic
2. What is the earliest some civilizations began their Bronze Age?
a) 2100 B.C.
b) 2200 B.C.
c) 2300 B.C.
d) 2500 B.C.
3. Most civilizations were using iron by ____.
a) 1500 B.C.
b) 1300 B.C.
c) 1000 B.C.
d) 1000 A.D.
4. What age is the world still in?
a) Stone Age
b) Bronze Age
c) Iron Age
d) Space Age
Bibliography
1911 Encyclopedia, The http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/I/IR/IRON_AGE.htm copyright 2002-2003
Bergen.org http://www.bergen.org/technology/stone.html
Hartman, Paul V. http://www.naciente.com/essay88.htm copyright 1996
Mustard Seed.net http://www.mustardseed.net/timeline/timeline4.html
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