Metallurgy was discovered around 4000 BC allowing for the extraction of metals from ores for processing. Society progressed through the Copper, Bronze, and Iron Ages as metalworking techniques advanced. During the Metal Ages, settlements grew in size and complexity with circular or rectangular dwellings surrounded by palisades. Economies centered around agriculture using new metal tools, livestock, trade, and specialized labor roles like metal artisans. People worshipped nature gods and held ceremonies. Defense structures like walls were built to protect villages from conflict and war. In Spain, important Metal Age cultures included the Copper Age Millares and Bell Beaker cultures, the Bronze Age El Argar culture, and the Bronze Age Talaiotic culture

1. THE METAL AGE

2. Metallurgy was discovered around 4000 BC
Extraction of metals from ores ( rocks) for their treatment
Copper Age
First metal to be used,
but it was fragile and cracked
easily.
THE METAL AGE
Divided
into
Bronze Age
Alloy of copper
and tin that was much
more resistant.
Iron Age
Hard, extraordinary qualities
more resistant objects.
Techniques more developed.
Transition
from one age
to another varies

3. Natural
environment
Mild
temperatures
Forest, more
animals and plants
Economy and society did they live?
Where
- Settlements: located in high places and surrounded by palisades
- Dwellings characteristics circular o rectangular
- walls: adobe or wooden
Roof: branches and thatch
What did people live from?
-Agriculture, livestock ( they had more developed tools made of metal: ploughs, hoes, etc) New
products: cheese.
- Trade: exchange metals for other products.
Beliefs
Worshipped
the forces
of nature
and gods
Ceremonies
Society
- Greater specialization of labour ( new jobs: metal artisans)
-Greater social differences ( possession of metal)
-There was conflict and war. They built walls to defend
settlements
-Villages grew
- Women took a back ground role in society

4. • Metal could be moulded into new
shapes and more durable tools.
Metalworking
Transport
• e.g: agriculture( hoes, sickles,
ploughs) weapons( swords,
spears, shields) tools ( knives,
etc)
• The invention of the wheel made
transport easier
carts
• Also it improved pottery with the
use of the potter´s wheel

5. ART
MEGA= BIG
LITHOS= STONE
Enormous stone blocks used as tombs and sanctuaries
Menhirs Large stones standing vertically on the floor
- Forming a circle: cromlech ( Stonehenge)
Two types
- Forming a line: alignment
Dolmens
Several vertical stones supporting a horizontal stone

6. Alignments

7. Cromlech

8. Cromlech: Stonehenge

9. METAL AGE IN SPAIN
Chronology:
From 3000 B.C approximately to 750 B.C
Main cultures
Millares
Bell Beaker
El Argar
- Copper Age
- Copper Age
-Bronze Age
- Location:
Almeria
-Characteristics:
•Village with
several walls,
circular
dwellings.
Necropolis:
Tombs with a
corridor and
circular chamber
-Location: centre
and periphery of
Spain
- Characteristic:
Bell shaped
ceramics
-Location:
Granada, Almeria
-Characteristic:
Buried their
deaths in vessels
Talaiotic
-Bronze Age
-Location:
Balearic Islands
-Typical
constructions:
Taula
Naveta
Talaiot

10. Millares village
walls
Los Millares
Chamber
Bell beaker
Tomb
corridor

11. El Argar

12. Talaiotic
Naveta
Taula
Talaiot