Transformations of the Bronze Age
In Transformations of the Bronze Age, archaeologist and historian Richard Miles reveals how bronze transformed ancient societies. It shaped tools, weapons, economies, and trade routes. Bronze Age civilizations were interconnected and collaborative, sharing material and information across trade routes. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Ancient Worlds, an epic series with archaeologist and historian Richard Miles as he explores the roots of civilization from Mesopotamia to the fall of the Roman Empire.
Lesson Express
Q: During the Bronze Age, what did people use bronze for?
A: They used bronze to make tools and weapons, status symbols, and decorative objects for the elite.
Q: Why did manufacturing bronze require trade?
A: Bronze is a hybrid metal made from copper and tin, but those two materials are not often found together, so people had to trade to get enough.
Q: What relationship did the kings of Kanesh have with the merchants?
A: The merchants paid levies to the palace and the king guaranteed their safety.
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