Iron Age
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- | :The [[transition]] from [[Alvin Toffler]]'s [[First Wave]] and [[Second Wave]] is sometimes also recognized as a transition from the [[Iron Age]] to the [[Industrial Revolution|Steel Age]]. At present, there is no clear [[delineation]] of the latest transition, though sometimes the term [[Post-industrial society]], originating from [[Daniel Bell]], is used, in addition to Toffler's "Third Wave society". | + | The '''Iron Age''' is the archaeological [[Periodization|period]] generally occurring after the [[Bronze Age]], marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of [[Iron (material)|iron]] or [[steel]]. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing agricultural practices, religious beliefs and artistic styles. The ''Iron Age'' as an [[archaeological]] term indicates the condition as to civilization and culture of a people using iron as the material for their cutting tools and weapons. The ''Iron Age'' is the third principal period of the [[three-age system]] created by [[Christian Thomsen]] (1788–1865) for classifying ancient societies and prehistoric stages of progress. |
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+ | In [[historical archaeology]], the [[ancient literature]] of the Iron Age includes the earliest texts preserved in manuscript tradition. [[Sanskrit literature]] and [[Chinese literature]] flourished in the Iron Age. Other text includes the [[Avesta]]n [[Gatha]]s, the Indian [[Veda]]s and the oldest parts of the [[Hebrew Bible]]. The principal feature that distinguishes the Iron Age from the preceding ages is the introduction of [[Alphabet|alphabetic character]]s, and the consequent [[History of writing|development of written language]] which enabled [[Ancient literature|literature]] and [[Recorded history|historic record]]. | ||
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+ | The beginning of the Iron Age in Europe and adjacent areas is characterized by certain forms of implements, weapons, personal ornaments, and pottery, and also by systems of decorative design, which are altogether different from those of the preceding age of bronze. The work of [[blacksmith]]s—developing implements and weapons—is hammered into shape, and, as a consequence, gradually departed from the stereotyped forms of their predecessors in bronze, which were cast, and the system of decoration, which in the Bronze Age consisted chiefly of a repetition of rectilinear patterns, gave way to a system of curvilinear and flowing designs. The term "''Iron Age''" has low chronological value, because it didn't begin simultaneously across the entire world. The dates and context vary depending on the region, and the sequence of ages is not necessarily true for every part of the earth's surface. There are areas, such as the islands of the South Pacific, the interior of Africa, and parts of North and South America, where peoples have passed directly from the use of stone to the use of iron without the intervention of an age of bronze. | ||
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+ | The Iron Age is the third of the [[three-age system]] of [[archaeology]], which divides human technological [[prehistory]] into three periods: | ||
+ | * The [[Stone Age]] | ||
+ | * The [[Bronze Age]] | ||
+ | * The [[Iron Age]] | ||
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+ | ==See also== | ||
+ | ;General:[[Fogou]] | ||
+ | ;Lists: [[List of archaeological periods]], [[List of archaeological sites]] | ||
+ | ;Metallurgy: [[Blast furnace]], [[Roman metallurgy]] | ||
+ | ;Other: [[Synoptic table of the principal old world prehistoric cultures]] | ||
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The Iron Age is the archaeological period generally occurring after the Bronze Age, marked by the prevalent use of iron. The early period of the age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel. The adoption of such material coincided with other changes in society, including differing agricultural practices, religious beliefs and artistic styles. The Iron Age as an archaeological term indicates the condition as to civilization and culture of a people using iron as the material for their cutting tools and weapons. The Iron Age is the third principal period of the three-age system created by Christian Thomsen (1788–1865) for classifying ancient societies and prehistoric stages of progress.
In historical archaeology, the ancient literature of the Iron Age includes the earliest texts preserved in manuscript tradition. Sanskrit literature and Chinese literature flourished in the Iron Age. Other text includes the Avestan Gathas, the Indian Vedas and the oldest parts of the Hebrew Bible. The principal feature that distinguishes the Iron Age from the preceding ages is the introduction of alphabetic characters, and the consequent development of written language which enabled literature and historic record.
The beginning of the Iron Age in Europe and adjacent areas is characterized by certain forms of implements, weapons, personal ornaments, and pottery, and also by systems of decorative design, which are altogether different from those of the preceding age of bronze. The work of blacksmiths—developing implements and weapons—is hammered into shape, and, as a consequence, gradually departed from the stereotyped forms of their predecessors in bronze, which were cast, and the system of decoration, which in the Bronze Age consisted chiefly of a repetition of rectilinear patterns, gave way to a system of curvilinear and flowing designs. The term "Iron Age" has low chronological value, because it didn't begin simultaneously across the entire world. The dates and context vary depending on the region, and the sequence of ages is not necessarily true for every part of the earth's surface. There are areas, such as the islands of the South Pacific, the interior of Africa, and parts of North and South America, where peoples have passed directly from the use of stone to the use of iron without the intervention of an age of bronze.
The Iron Age is the third of the three-age system of archaeology, which divides human technological prehistory into three periods:
- The Stone Age
- The Bronze Age
- The Iron Age
See also
- General
- Fogou
- Lists
- List of archaeological periods, List of archaeological sites
- Metallurgy
- Blast furnace, Roman metallurgy
- Other
- Synoptic table of the principal old world prehistoric cultures