History
What is The Bronze Age?
The Bronze Age was a period of early human history when people learned to make bronze — an alloy of copper and tin — for tools and weapons. Roughly 3300–1200 BCE, it saw the rise of cities, writing, and trade across the ancient world.
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Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains the bronze age.
Key things to understand
- 1Named for the widespread use of bronze tools and weapons.
- 2It ran roughly from 3300 to 1200 BCE.
- 3It saw early cities, writing, and long-distance trade.
- 4It followed the Stone Age and preceded the Iron Age.
Frequently asked questions
- What was the Bronze Age?
- An early era when humans made bronze tools and weapons, marked by the rise of cities, writing, and trade.
- Why is it called the Bronze Age?
- Because people learned to make bronze — a strong alloy of copper and tin — for everyday tools and weapons.
- What came after the Bronze Age?
- The Iron Age, when iron working replaced bronze for tools and weapons.