What was the Iron Age?
The Iron Age was the period when iron replaced bronze as the main material for tools and weapons. It began around 1200 BC in the Middle East and spread across Europe, Asia and Africa.
Iron ore is much more common than the copper and tin needed for bronze, so once people learned to smelt it, iron tools became widely available. Early iron was not always better than bronze, but adding carbon to make steel created stronger, sharper tools. Iron plows and axes helped farmers clear forests and grow more food.
The Hittites in Anatolia were among the early ironworkers. During the Iron Age, many famous ancient civilizations and empires flourished, including classical Greece, the Persian Empire, the Celts and early Rome. In Africa, iron smelting developed in several areas, including Nok culture in Nigeria.
When did it end?
The end of the Iron Age varies by region. In much of Europe, it is said to end with the Roman conquest or the start of written history. In Scandinavia, it lasted until the Viking Age, around AD 800. In a sense, we still rely heavily on iron and steel today.
Did You Know?
The Iron Pillar of Delhi, about 1,600 years old, has resisted rusting remarkably well, puzzling scientists for many years.