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The Iron Age

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The Iron Age is the final epoch of the three historical Metal Ages, following the Copper Age and Bronze Age and conventionally dated from about 1200 to 550 BCE in the eastern Mediterranean and Near East. The period is defined regionally by when smelted iron production replaced bronze as the dominant material for tools and weapons, a transition that happened earlier in some regions, around 1300 BCE in Anatolia and the Caucasus, and considerably later in others, not reaching Northern Europe until roughly 500 BCE, so its calendar boundaries shift substantially depending on which part of Africa, Asia or Europe is being described.

Facts
Disputed
Start Year
1200 BCE 1
The general date, c. 1200 BCE, describes the eastern Mediterranean and Near East; the transition to iron began earlier, around 1300 BCE, in Anatolia and the Caucasus, and far later, around 500 BCE, in Northern Europe.
End Year
550 BCE 1
The general date, c. 550 BCE, describes the eastern Mediterranean and Near East; the transition to iron happened at markedly different times elsewhere, from as early as 1300 BCE in Anatolia to as late as 500 BCE in Northern Europe.
Geographic Scope
Conventionally centered on the eastern Mediterranean and the Near East for its usual date range, but the transition to iron working happened at markedly different times across Africa, Asia and Europe, from as early as 1300 BCE in Anatolia and the Caucasus to as late as 500 BCE in Northern Europe. 1
Cross-Tradition Connections

Includes

Preceded By

Related To

The Warring States Period, Eras

China's own periodization for roughly the same centuries a global Iron Age framework also covers.

Source Wikipedia
Sources
1. Wikipedia
WikipediaIron Age, introduction
Quote, Iron Age, introduction
The Iron Age (c. 1200 BC - c. 550 BC) is the final epoch of the three historical Metal Ages, after the Copper Age and Bronze Age.
1. Wikipedia
WikipediaIron Age, geographic scope
Quote, Iron Age, geographic scope
the Iron Age began earlier in some regions (c. 1300 BC in Anatolia and the Caucasus) and reached Northern Europe much later (c. 500 BC).
1. Wikipedia
WikipediaPreceded By: The Ancient Near East and Bronze Age World, Iron Age, succession from the Bronze Age
Quote, Preceded By: The Ancient Near East and Bronze Age World, Iron Age, succession from the Bronze Age
The Iron Age (c. 1200 BC - c. 550 BC) is the final epoch of the three historical Metal Ages, after the Copper Age and Bronze Age.
1. Wikipedia
WikipediaRelated To: The Warring States Period, Warring States period, relation to the Iron Age
Quote, Related To: The Warring States Period, Warring States period, relation to the Iron Age
The Warring States period in Chinese history (c. 475 - 221 BC).

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