History of Bronze

The Bronze Age was the period from about 4000 BC to 1200 BC, coming after the Stone Age and before the Iron Age. By the end of the Stone Age, ancient people had developed the ability to mine copper and other metals. Copper itself is soft and easily bent and dented. It is good for wire because of its flexibility. At the beginning of the Bronze Age, people found that by alloying copper with other metals, they could produce one that was stronger than copper alone. That metal is known as bronze. The most common metal combined with copper to make bronze is zinc. Bronze was used to make to make tools, vessels, jewelry, and other items. Later with the onset of the Iron Age, iron was found to be stronger for the more heavy duty tools. However, bronze remained preferred for more artistic endeavors like jewelry and statues. You can see bronze jewelry as well as other jewelry made from other metals at Beadshaper