Iron Age

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A period marked by the widespread use of iron, which allowed for the production of more durable and efficient tools and weapons. This period saw the emergence of classical civilizations, such as those of Greece, Rome, and China, and the development of new ideas in philosophy, religion, and science.

What is the Iron Age?

"The Iron Age is the final epoch of the three-age division of the prehistory and protohistory of humanity."

What were the previous ages before the Iron Age?

"It was preceded by the Stone Age (Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic) and the Bronze Age."

In which regions was the concept of the Iron Age mostly applied?

"The concept has been mostly applied to Iron Age Europe and the Ancient Near East."

What marks the beginning of the Iron Age in a local region?

"The 'Iron Age' begins locally when the production of iron or steel has advanced to the point where iron tools and weapons replace their bronze equivalents in common use."

Where was the discovery of iron smelting and smithing techniques invented?

"The discovery of iron smelting and smithing techniques was invented in Anatolia, the Caucasus or Southeast Europe in the late 2nd millennium BC (c. 1300 BC)."

When did the transition from Bronze Age to Iron Age occur in the Ancient Near East?

"This transition took place in the wake of the Bronze Age collapse, in the 12th century BC."

Where did the spread of iron technology occur?

"The technology soon spread throughout the Mediterranean Basin region and to South Asia (Iron Age in India) between the 12th and 11th century BC."

Which regions saw a delayed spread of iron technology?

"Its further spread to Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central Europe is somewhat delayed."

When did Northern Europe reach the Iron Age?

"Northern Europe was not reached until around the start of the 5th century BC."

When does the Iron Age typically end in terms of the historiographical record?

"The Iron Age is taken to end, also by convention, with the beginning of the historiographical record."

What marks the end of the Iron Age in the Ancient Near East?

"For the Ancient Near East, the establishment of the Achaemenid Empire c. 550 BC is traditionally and still usually taken as a cut-off date."

When does the Iron Age end in Central and Western Europe?

"In Central and Western Europe, the Roman conquests of the 1st century BC serve as marking for the end of the Iron Age."

When is the end of the Iron Age in the Germanic Iron Age of Scandinavia?

"The Germanic Iron Age of Scandinavia is taken to end c. AD 800, with the beginning of the Viking Age."

When is the Iron Age considered to begin in the Indian sub-continent?

"The Iron Age is taken to begin with the ironworking Painted Grey Ware culture."

How long did the Iron Age last in the Indian sub-continent?

"Recent estimates suggest that it ranges from the 15th century BC, through to the reign of Ashoka in the 3rd century BC."

Is the use of the term "Iron Age" common in South, East, and Southeast Asia?

"The use of the term 'Iron Age' in the archaeology of South, East, and Southeast Asia is more recent and less common than for Western Eurasia."

Did written history start before iron-working in China?

"In China, written history started before iron-working arrived, so the term is infrequently used."