The metal central to this age finds frequent mention in the Vedas and ...
The Correct Option is B: Iron Age
Explanation of the Iron Age
The Iron Age is a historical period that follows the Chalcolithic or Copper-Stone Age. This age is characterized by the widespread use of iron or steel.
Significance of Iron
- Iron, the metal central to this age, is mentioned frequently in the Vedas, ancient Indian scriptures. The Vedas describe its use in various tools, weapons, and ceremonial items.
- Iron's prevalence during this age indicates a shift in human society and technology. The discovery and mastering of iron smelting (the process of extracting iron from its ore) allowed for significant advancements in tool and weapon production.
Transition from Chalcolithic Age
- The Iron Age follows the Chalcolithic or Copper-Stone Age in the three-age system, a system of classifying archaeological periods into Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age. This system is often used in human prehistory and protohistory.
- The transition from the Chalcolithic Age to Iron Age is marked by the change in the material used for making tools and weapons, from copper and stone to iron.
Features of the Iron Age
- The Iron Age is not a specific period that occurred at the same time worldwide. Instead, its onset varies depending on geographical location and cultural context. For instance, Iron Age in the Middle East began around 1200 BC, while in India, it started around 1200 to 1000 BC.
- During the Iron Age, societies were typically organized into city-states or kingdoms. There was a marked increase in the complexity of social structures, trade networks, and warfare tactics.
- In terms of art and culture, the Iron Age saw the rise of literate civilizations, the spread of alphabetic scripts, and the development of philosophical and religious thoughts.
Why not the other options?
- The Palaeolithic Age, Copper-Stone Age, and Later Stone Age are not the correct answers because these periods are characterized by the use of stone and copper for tool production, not iron.
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The metal central to this age finds frequent mention in the Vedas and ...
Iron Age: The Metal Central to this Age
The Iron Age is a period of human history characterized by the widespread use of iron for tools and weapons. It is believed to have begun around 1200 BCE in the Near East and spread to other parts of the world, including India.
Metal Mentioned in the Vedas
In India, the Iron Age finds frequent mention in the Vedas, which are ancient texts that form the foundation of Hinduism. These texts describe the use of iron tools and weapons, as well as the social and economic changes that accompanied the introduction of iron technology.
Follows after the Chalcolithic Age
The Iron Age follows after the Chalcolithic Age (also known as the Copper-Stone Age), which was characterized by the widespread use of copper and stone tools and weapons. The transition from the Chalcolithic Age to the Iron Age was a gradual process that took place over several centuries, as iron technology slowly spread throughout India.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the metal central to the Iron Age is iron itself, which was widely used for tools and weapons during this period. The Iron Age follows after the Chalcolithic Age and finds frequent mention in the Vedas.
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