COPPER AND BRONZE AGE

The Bronze Age spanned from 3,300 to 1,200 BCE and is characterized by the use of copper
and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacturing of implements and
weapons. This period ended with further advancements in metallurgy , such as the ability to
smelt iron ore.

Inventions:

1. Soap Historical records tell us that the first ever soap of Human History was invented during
the Bronze Age. An equation for soap was found on the Babylonian earth tablet that dated 2800
B.C. The three main ingredients of soap at that time were cassia oil, water and soluble base also
known as Alkali. During the reign of Nabonidus the soap was prepared via ashes, sesame and
cypress.

2. Rope is another major invention which was made in the Bronze Age. The credit for this
invention goes to the Old Egyptians. The old Egyptians are considered as the first ever
civilization that actually developed a one of a kind apparatus that contributed to the creation of
rope. The main material of this rope was water reed fiber.

3. Umbrella The umbrella was also invented during the Bronze Age and the exact time was
2400 B.C. Though different civilizations developed different instruments to protect themselves
from rain however the first proper Umbrella was invented by the Egyptians. The Egyptians
basically used parasols for protection against rain.

Discoveries:

1. Bronze flag (third millennium BCE): Found in Shahdad, Kerman, (now Iran).

In the Bronze Age, two forms of bronze were commonly used. “Classic bronze,” about
ten percent tin, was used in casting. “Mild bronze,” about six percent tin, was hammered
from ingots to make sheets. Bladed weapons were mostly cast from classic bronze,
while helmets and armor were hammered from mild bronze. The flag pictured below
was also likely hammered from mild bronze.
2. Socketed axe blades.: A hoard of axes from the Bronze Age found in modern Germany.
Archaeological Museum of the state of Brandenburg.

In many parts of the world, large hoards of bronze artifacts have been discovered,
suggesting that bronze also represented a store of value and an indicator of social
status. In Europe large hoards of bronze tools, typically socketed axes with little to no
signs of wear, have been found. Axes were the most valued tools of the period.

3. Dancing Girl (c. 2500 BCE): Bronze. 4 1/8 in × 2 in. National Museum, New Delhi.

Although bronze was originally used for producing weapons, metal workers soon
applied the alloy to the production of art. Among the oldest and most common method
of producing bronze sculptures is through the lost wax process, which creates hollow
one-of-a-kind sculptures in whatever form the artist chooses. Dancing Girl (c. 2500
BCE), from Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley, is perhaps the first bronze statue of the
world. Although it is in a standing position, it was named Dancing Girl with an
assumption of her profession. This is one of two bronze art works found at Mohenjodaro
that show more flexible features when compared to other more formal poses. The girl is
naked, wears a number of bangles and a necklace, stands in a naturalistic position with
her right hand on her hip, and holds an object in her left hand, which rests against her
thigh.