The Age of Metals

   1. The Age of Metals

   When humans gradually discovered metals, they gradually abandoned stone as the basic element for their instrument and tools. Three stages are distinguished within this Age due to the different types of metals that were used:

    - Copper was the first known metal. It is of a low hardness and it was used to make ornaments.

    - Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin and it is harder and stronger than copper. Several eastern Mediterranean peoples discovered this metallurgy and progressed rapidly.

    During this Age, agricultural tools were developed with bronze, such as plows and sickles, military weapons like swords, spears and shields, as well as household utensils like jars, bowls and cups. On the image above, there is a cart (offering to the Sun God), which was found in Trundholm (Denmark) and was made our of bronze and gold.

     This metal was discovered in the year 3000 A.C.

     - Iron was found somewhere near the Black Sea.

    It is harder and more durable than bronze, and was served as a main element in the manufacturing of objects.

    The first instruments were manufactured at around 1,200 A.C.

    This metal was then spread by the Celts to the peoples of the Mediterranean.

  A) Indicate to what stage the following statements refer to (copper, bronze, or iron)
 

It was discovered around the Black Sea

It has low hardness

It is an alloy of copper and tin

It is harder than bronze

It was used to make adornments

It was discovered towards the year 3,000 A.C.

It was discovered at around 1,200 A.C.

   2. The Megalithic Monuments

   The religiosity of prehistoric humans is evident on what are called megalithic monuments (mega = big, and lithic = stone). They were called as such because they were made of big stones.

    These monuments represent the very first architectural manifestation of history, and would take up different forms. They can be classified in the following groups:

    - Menhir, which is a large stone that stands vertically on the ground.

    - Alignments, which are menhirs placed in a straight line.

    - Cromlechs, which are menhirs arranged in circles.

    - Horizontal Dolmens, which are large horizontal stones placed on other stones vertically in the form of a table. (Please look at the top left image displaying the dolmen Mans Salas, Muiño, Ourense, Spain).

    - Naveta, which are shaped like an inverted boat. It would serve the purpose of funerals. (Please look at the top right image displaying the naveta des Tudons, Menorca, Spain).

   B) Indicate whether the following monuments are menhirs, alignments, cromlechs, dolmens, or naveta

It is shaped like a table

It is a stone that vertically stands on the ground

It is composed of various menhirs in a row

They are menhirs in circles

It is like an inverted boat


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®Arturo Ramo García.-Record of intellectual property of Teruel (Spain) No 141, of 29-IX-1999
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