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 YearThe 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 YearThe 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 ScopeConventionally 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 The Iron Age
Filter Results4 entries
FAQs
Why is the term Iron Age used less often outside western Eurasia?
It was built around Europe and the Near East; other regions use other period systems or had writing before iron.
The Iron Age concept was first developed to describe Iron Age Europe and the ancient Near East, and it fits those regions best. In the archaeology of the Americas, a five-period system is conventionally used instead, because indigenous cultures there did not develop an iron economy before Columbus. In China, written history started before iron smelting began, so the term is used infrequently there. In Mesopotamia, written history predates iron smelting by hundreds of years. The term is also more recent and less common in the archaeology of South, East and Southeast Asia than for western Eurasia.
Connections
Includes
Source Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III (Wikipedia)
Source History of Carthage, Wikipedia
Source Wikipedia: Founding of Rome
Source King Wu of Zhou (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia: Menelik I
Source Wikipedia: Sefire Steles
Source Tel Dan Stele, Wikipedia
Placed in its broad period by the atlas SubLabel and dated range
Placed in its broad period by the atlas SubLabel and dated range
Placed in its broad period by the atlas SubLabel and dated range
Placed in its broad period by the atlas SubLabel and dated range
Source Wikipedia: Trojan War
Source Battle of Muye, Wikipedia
Preceded By
Related To
China's own periodization for roughly the same centuries a global Iron Age framework also covers.
Source Wikipedia
Additional Source Wikipedia: Warring States PeriodWarring States period, relation to the Iron Age
In the Other Atlases
Era Of Origin For
Also in Agriculture and Farming Atlas: originating in this era.
Source Akhal-Teke (Wikipedia)HistoryQuote, History
The ancestors of the breed may date back to animals living 3,000 years ago
Also in Agriculture and Farming Atlas: originating in this era.
Also in Agriculture and Farming Atlas: originating in this era.
Source Cucumber (Wikipedia)Leadtier 2Quote, Lead
They have been cultivated for at least 3,000 years
Also in Agriculture and Farming Atlas: originating in this era.
Source Lusitano (Wikipedia)LeadQuote, Lead
Horses were known to be present on the Iberian Peninsula as far back as 20,000 BC, and by 800 BC the region was renowned for its war horses.
Also in Agriculture and Farming Atlas: originating in this era.
Also in Agriculture and Farming Atlas: originating in this era.
Source Pineapple (Wikipedia)Historytier 2Quote, History
Archaeological evidence of use is found as far back as 1200–800 BC (3200–2800 BP) in Peru
Also in Agriculture and Farming Atlas: originating in this era.
Also in Agriculture and Farming Atlas: originating in this era.
Also in Agriculture and Farming Atlas: originating in this era.
Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: originating in this era.
Also in Home, Crafts and Hobbies Atlas: originating in this era.
Also in Home, Crafts and Hobbies Atlas: originating in this era.
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Wikipedia
WikipediaIron 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.
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).
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.
View the Source History of Carthage, Wikipedia
Includes: Founding of Carthage, Lead paragraphQuote, Includes: Founding of Carthage, Lead paragraph
The city of Carthage was founded in the 9th century BC
Wikipedia: Founding of Rome
Includes: Founding of Rome, Lead paragraphQuote, Includes: Founding of Rome, Lead paragraph
Rome developed from the gradual union of several hilltop villages during the Final Bronze Age or early Iron Age
Tel Dan Stele, Wikipedia
Includes: Tel Dan Stele, LeadQuote, Includes: Tel Dan Stele, Lead
It is generally dated to the 9th-century BCE
Wikipedia: Sefire Steles
Includes: Sefire Steles, LeadQuote, Includes: Sefire Steles, Lead
three 8th-century BCE basalt stelae
Wikipedia: Menelik I
WikipediaIncludes: Menelik I, LeadQuote, Includes: Menelik I, Lead
in the 10th century BC he is said to have inaugurated the Solomonic dynasty
Wikipedia: Warring States Period
WikipediaRelated To: The Warring States Period, Warring States period, relation to the Iron AgeQuote, 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).
Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, Article textQuote, Includes: Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, Article text
It was erected as a public monument in 825 BC at a time of civil war, in the central square of Nimrud.
King Wu of Zhou (Wikipedia)
WikipediaIncludes: King Wu of Zhou, LeadQuote, Includes: King Wu of Zhou, Lead
King Wu's rule of the Predynastic Zhou began around 1050 BC, when he succeeded his father King Wen.
Wikipedia: Trojan War
Includes: Trojan War, LeadQuote, Includes: Trojan War, Lead
Those who believe that the stories of the Trojan War are derived from a specific historical conflict usually date it to the twelfth century BC or eleventh century BC, often preferring the dates given by Eratosthenes, 1194-1184 BC, which roughly correspond to archaeological evidence of a catastrophic burning of Troy VII, and the Late Bronze Age collapse.
Battle of Muye, Wikipedia
Includes: Zhou Conquest of the Shang Dynasty, LeadQuote, Includes: Zhou Conquest of the Shang Dynasty, Lead
The Battle of Muye, Mu, or Muh (c. 1046 BC) was fought between forces of the ancient Chinese Shang dynasty led by Di Xin and the rebel state of Zhou led by King Wu.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.