How Did Iron Age Tools Change Daily Life?
Have you ever wondered how early humans manage to survive? Have you ever wondered how they made tools from iron, bronze, and stone? Have you ever wondered how they manage to cook food? We will look at the Iron Age and the tools made by early humans in the iron age in great detail.
Early Humans
The Iron Age is the last age after the Stone Age and Bronze Age. Early humans learnt a lot in the previous two ages. They got adapted to the situations and extreme weather conditions.
This age was between the years of 1200 BC and 600 BC. It was mainly in the area of Asia, Africa, and Europe. In the Iron Age, the tools and weapons made of Iron became very popular. Early humans made different kinds of tools and weapons from iron.
Iron Age Tools and Their Names
Iron Axe: Iron axes were invented by early humans. They were used to hunt animals, farm, and get protected from the wild animals. It was also used to cut wood from the trees for cooking and heating purposes.
Iron Coulter: It is a blade-like tool which was used by early humans to dig in heavy soils. This was made for farming purposes as well as for protection from wild animals.
Iron Tools and Weapons
Iron Ploughshare: Iron Ploughshare was invented by early humans to do farming. The iron ploughshare replaced the wooden ploughshare and became more productive. This made farming easy for the early humans.
Iron Sickles: This tool was used for the harvesting and cutting of the branches of the trees. Tools like these made farming easy for the early humans and more productivity was shown.
Iron Chisel: Iron chisel was a sharp tool made by early humans. This tool was used to cut hard things made of other stones. This was also very helpful for them for many kinds of purposes.
Iron Sword: Early humans also invented iron swords. These swords were later used by the kings and rulers for war purposes. These swords were also considered a token of bravery.
Steel Weapons: As the growth of iron tools and weapons happened, the early humans also started inventing steel weapons. They became more advanced in their art of making tools and weapons.
Events of the Iron Age
The art of making tools and weapons from iron spread very fast in different countries. The use of these iron tools and weapons made the lives of people easy. It helped them in hunting animals in an easy manner. All the stages of farming became very easy from ploughing to harvesting crops. Iron age tools and their uses became very popular.
The iron age tools and weapons were also helpful in the protection of early humans from wild animals. They also started replacing wooden weapons with iron tools and weapons. With the growth of the Iron Age, steel weapons also started emerging. Other things like pottery and weaving also improved with the help of iron tools and weapons.
End of the Iron Age
With time, early humans became more advanced in the art of making tools and weapons. They started mixing all the metals and then inventing weapons and tools. Metals like steel also started coming into use by different counties. The Iron Age is considered the most important age for the development of various technologies and the human mind.
Conclusion
Early humans developed iron tools and weapons in the last stage. Before the Iron Age, Stone Age and Bronze Age were in existence. The process of using fire to convert metal into the strangest thing is the most advanced way chosen by humans. The Iron Age led to the development of several weapons and tools which were in use extensively.
FAQs on Iron Age Tools: Definition, Uses & Key Facts
1. What exactly was the Iron Age?
The Iron Age is a period in human history that came after the Stone Age and the Bronze Age. It is named for the discovery of how to use iron, a strong and common metal, to create superior tools and weapons. This technological leap allowed for significant advancements in farming, construction, and daily life.
2. What were some common iron tools and how were they used?
During the Iron Age, people created many new tools that made their work easier. Some common examples include:
- Iron Axes: Used for clearing forests for farming and for chopping wood to build stronger houses.
- Iron Sickles: These curved blades were used to harvest crops like wheat and barley much more efficiently.
- Iron Ploughs (or Ard): When pulled by animals, these could turn over heavy soil, leading to better farming and more food.
- Chisels and Saws: Essential for detailed woodworking and building more complex structures.
3. Why were iron tools considered better than bronze or stone tools?
Iron tools were a major improvement over previous materials for several key reasons. Iron is stronger and more durable than bronze, and it is less brittle than stone, meaning it was less likely to chip or break. It could also be sharpened to a finer edge that lasted longer. Crucially, iron ore, the rock from which iron is extracted, was much more widely available than the tin and copper needed to make bronze.
4. How did the invention of iron tools change the way people lived?
The widespread use of iron tools had a massive impact on society. With stronger ploughs and axes, people could cultivate more land and produce a surplus of food, allowing communities to grow larger. Sturdier homes and better-defended villages could be built. The changes brought by iron technology helped pave the way for the development of larger settlements and more complex civilisations.
5. How did people in the Iron Age make tools from iron?
Making iron tools was a complex process. First, people would mine rocks containing iron ore. Then, they would heat this ore in a very hot furnace, called a bloomery, to separate out a spongy mass of iron. This hot iron was then repeatedly hammered by a blacksmith to remove impurities and shape it into the desired tool, such as a sword blade, axe head, or sickle.
6. Besides farming tools, what other important items were made from iron?
While farming tools were vital, iron was used for much more. Blacksmiths crafted powerful iron weapons like swords, spearheads, and daggers, which changed warfare. Iron was also used for everyday objects such as nails for construction, pots for cooking, and even early forms of personal items like razors and decorative brooches.
