The Age of Metal, The Iron Age, Copper Age, Bronze Age.

Once man had learned to use stone he seemed content to stick with this single method of tool making for thousands of years. Stone was plentiful, relatively easy to work with, and seemed to satisfy his needs. Finally, around 3500 B.C. man ventured into the Age of Metal. The first metal which he learned to work was copper. This metal is extremely soft, melts easily in a simple campfire and can be worked into tools …

…of iron consider this one example. One ancient king haggled for and managed to purchase a six inch iron knife from a merchant. He bragged to his countrymen that he had worked out a great deal, and ripped off the merchant who sold the knife so cheaply. What did this king actually pay for the six inch iron knife? Only HIS weight in gold. Now can you understand the value of iron to ancient man?