Idade dos Metais: Cobre, Bronze e Ferro

Age of Metals: Copper, Bronze, and Iron

The age of metals is a periodization of human prehistory that divides it into three distinct time periods: the Copper Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. The concept of the three-age system was first introduced by the Danish archaeologist Christian Jürgensen Thomsen in the early 19th century. Although the three-age system has faced criticism, it remains a useful framework for understanding the development of human societies and their technological advancements.

Copper Age

The Copper Age, also known as the Chalcolithic period or the Eneolithic, is the transitional phase between the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. Copper tools began to replace stone tools, and the potter's wheel was introduced during this period. The use of copper did not bring about a sudden revolution in people's lives, as early copper was primarily used for jewelry and tools that were not accessible to the general population. The real significance of copper was more social than practical, as it was a symbol of wealth and power.

Bronze Age

The Bronze Age marked a significant step forward in metallurgy with the discovery of bronze, an alloy of copper and tin. Bronze tools, weapons, armor, and building materials were more durable than their stone and copper predecessors, allowing for the production of more effective weapons, armor, and artistic media. Two forms of bronze were commonly used, with classic bronze being about ten percent tin and used in casting and mild bronze being about six percent tin and better suited for hammering into sheets.

Bronze tools were used for a variety of purposes, including agriculture, hunting, and warfare. Axes, halberds, daggers, dirks, bows and arrows, spears, and swords were all made from bronze. The technique of lost wax casting was also developed during the Bronze Age, allowing for the production of more complex and intricate bronze sculptures.

Tools and Weapons

The Bronze Age saw the development of a wide range of tools and weapons. Axes were the most common tools, used for both cutting and hammering. Halberds were scythe-shaped bronze blades attached to a wooden or metal shaft, serving both as weapons and as tools. Daggers and dirks were short, tapered weapons, often used for fighting. Bows and arrows were used for hunting and warfare, with the simpler curved bow being more common in Europe and the composite bow being more common in Egypt and the Aegean. Spears were often made from wood and tied to a wooden shaft, with longer versions being adapted for warfare. Swords appeared later in the Bronze Age, evolving from shorter daggers or large spearheads.

Iron Age

The Iron Age followed the Bronze Age and marked the transition from bronze to iron as the primary metal used for tools and weapons. Iron tools were more durable and allowed for greater specialization in crafts and industries. The Iron Age also saw the development of trade networks, leading to the establishment of towns and cities.

In conclusion, the age of metals revolutionized human society, enabling the creation of more durable tools and weapons and allowing for the development of civilization. The Copper Age introduced the use of copper, the Bronze Age saw the discovery of bronze, and the Iron Age marked the transition to iron. While the three-age system has faced criticism, it remains a useful framework for understanding the technological and social developments of human prehistory.