23 April 2023

What is the Copper Age? – Most important events of the Copper Age

By Donald

The Copper Age is a period of prehistory that characterized by the widespread use of copper in the production of tools, objects and weapons. This epoch is located between 7000 BC and 3200 BC in the Near East and the Mediterranean, and from 4000 BC and 2300 BC in Europe.

During the Copper Age, copper metallurgy enabled important technological advances and social, including the production of agricultural and artisan tools, the rise of hierarchical societies, and transregional trade.

What does the Copper Age refer to?

This is a period in human history that alludes to the time when copper was used for the manufacture of tools, weapons and other objects. This period is considered as one of the first stages of the technological evolution of humanity.

During this period, copper was mined and melted in different parts of the worldLike ancient Mesopotamia. Elements of copper were used in the creation of agricultural tools, jewelry, and other objects used in daily life.

As technology has advanced, copper materials began to be replaced by bronze ones. These were made by alloying copper with other metals, which marked the beginning of the Bronze Age, which lasted from 2000 BC to 1200 BC.

When did the Copper Age end?

This is a historical period that It is located between the Neolithic and the Bronze Agecharacterized by the use of copper as the main material for the manufacture of tools, weapons and ornamental objects.

The rise of the Copper Age occurred in the Fertile Crescent, a region that extends from Mesopotamia to Egypt. There the ancient inhabitants discovered that copper could be extracted from nature and worked to create tools and weapons that were more durable and effective than those made of stone. In addition, they had significant advances in the agriculture sector.

At first, copper it was used in the creation of ornaments and ceremonial objects, but its use quickly spread to the manufacture of tools and weapons. This allowed the towns to improve their quality of life and increase their capacity for food production.

Copper was mined and then melted down and shaped into a wide variety of shapes, including axes, knives, arrowheads, and pins. The casting and molding technique was improved over time, allowing artisans to produce increasingly complex and sophisticated objects.

The Copper Age spread throughout the world, albeit at different times and with different levels of development. In some regions, such as South America, copper was used much earlier than in other parts of the world. In other areas, such as Europe, it was used later and in conjunction with other materials, such as stone and bone.

In general, the Copper Age It is considered a time of great importance in the history of humanity, since it marked the beginning of the production of metals and the creation of more advanced tools and objects. This period laid the foundation for the subsequent development of the Bronze and Iron Ages, which had a significant impact on the evolution of human society.

What are the characteristics of the Copper Age?

Being one of the eras that the planet and humanity had, like all of them, it has outstanding qualities that make it unique. Below are some of the most relevant characteristics of this period:

use of copper: During this era copper was the most used element for the manufacture of instruments and materials, such as axes, knives, needles, jewelry and decorative objects.
Agriculture: The use of copper utensils allowed the development of agriculture, which promoted the food processing and community growth.
Trade: The manufacture of copper objects allowed the commercial exchange between different regions, which contributed to the economic and cultural growth of societies.
Craft: The production of copper materials also allowed the craft transformation, which fostered creativity and innovation in the manufacture of elements.
Social inequalities: As the production of copper tools developed, differences arose between the people who had access to these materials and those that do not. This laid the foundations for the emergence of the first hierarchical civilizations.
territorial expansion: The modification of agriculture and trade allowed the extension of the land of the societies that developed in the Copper Age.

Major events of the Copper Age

During the Copper Age there were a series of important events that marked the history of humanity. In addition, these laid the foundations for the emergence of later societies and civilizations.

Below are some of the most relevant events of this period:

invention of metallurgy: The creation of the foundry was a key event in the Copper Agesince it allowed the massive production of utensils and copper objects that promoted the development of agriculture, crafts and commerce.
Emergence of hierarchical societies: The use of copper tools allowed the production of agricultural balances. This caused the emergence of a ruling elite that controlled these surpluses and laid the foundation for the rise of the first ranked civilizations.
transregional trade: The production of copper objects allowed the exchange of markets between different geographical regions. In this way, the territorial expansion of societies and economic and cultural growth.
writing development: In some regions of the world, such as the Sumerian civilization in Mesopotamia, originated Writing during the Copper Age. This helped the transmission of knowledge and the preservation of the history and culture of these societies.
Rise of cities: In some areas, such as the Indus River Valley in India and the Balkan region in Europe, settlements arose during the Copper Age, indicating a high degree of economic and social development in these societies.

Inventions that Occurred During the Copper Age

During this era there were a series of inventions and advances technological that allowed the production of more sophisticated objects and tools. These promoted the development of societies and civilizations of the time. Some of the most relevant inventions of this period are detailed below:

The metallurgy of bronze: The invention of foundry was one of the most important creations from the Copper Age. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin that is harder and stronger than pure copper, allowing for the production of more effective and durable tools and objects.
The wheel: This was another important invention that was developed during the Copper Age, since allowed the creation of vehicles and machinery that facilitated the transportation and production of goods.
The ceramic: Porcelain production developed significantly during the Copper Age. This allowed the production of containers for storage and transport of food, liquids and other objects.
Bow and arrow: These were important inventions that they allowed hunting and war more effectively and lethally.
The navegation: In some regions, such as the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, Navigation was developed during the Copper Age. This allowed trade and cultural exchange between different geographic regions.