METAL AGES

SOCIETY

LIFESTYLE

PLACE TO LIVE

BARTERING

TOOLS

METALLURGY

In the Metal Ages humans start making metal objects. People use metals to make different type of utensils like tools, weapons and decorations. The process of making metal objects is called metallurgy. In contrast to stones, metals are difficult to break. When people from the Metal Ages hit metal it doesn't break but change its shape. They decide to model metals by melting them firstly.

1. The mineral is melted in a kiln.

2. The liquid metal is poured into a mould with the shape of the object to be made.

3. Once cold,the object is polish and decorated.

FIRST CITIES

Some villages grow a lot and turn into cities. These cities are normally located in areas with huge underground metal resources. Cities are also surrounded by walls in order to protect themselves from enemies.

Cities mark the beginning of great civilizations in ancient history.

BARTERING

The rise of the agrarian production and the appearance of crafts cause a new form of getting goods: bartering. Bartering consists in exchanging objects . People own a big number of a specific object and they try to exchange them for other different objects. Example given: An animal in exchange for vegetables.

Bartering causes trade. Products need to be transport, and people use different ways to do it. Sail is invented to improve trading.

SOCIAL CLASSES

The arrival of trade change society creating social classes: people who own a lot of goods and people who own nothing. People who own a lot of goods become rich. In the contrary, people who own nothing become poor. Apart from this, metallurgy is another factor that causes social differences because metal is a symbol of wealth. People who own metal is considered rich people.

People who are prepared to be soldiers become powerful in comparison to other inhabitants: they possess weapons.

JOBS

During the Metal Ages people start focusing on working in a particular trade area: commerce, livestock farming, agriculture, pottery, metal crafts. This is the way jobs are created, each person is specialized in one type of work. A part from trade, other jobs are created, such as soldiers.

Traders start doing business with people from other cities. This way cultures are spread all over the world.