9. What two metals were combined to make bronze? What effect of bronze on armaments?
Bronze is an alloy metal made by the combination of copper and tin. Bronze allowed for weapons to be stronger, sharper, and more durable. At first bronze was used to make short daggers, but blacksmiths soon found that bronze permitted for the blades to become longer, thus creating the first swords. These new weapons were initially used by the elite and for ceremonial purposes, but soon found its way into a soldier's kit. At first soldiers did not slash at their enemy like modern day knights, but by stabbing like their traditional daggers. Once they realized they could swing their swords, mortality rates rose in war.
At this time, spearheads and arrowheads were made of crude stones and animal bones, fastened upon a wooden pole. With the introduction of bronze, these spearheads and arrowheads could be made with bronze, a more efficient and dangerous metal. Bronze would keep its shape for long periods of time, while stones and bones must be constantly chiseled for a sharp edge. Bronze would not be needed to carve or sharpen each time it was used, because it held its shape so well.
GLOSSARY:
armaments : military weapons that are used to fight a war
(Courtesy of Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
Information found at:
Video- The End of the Stone Age
Website- [1]
Pictures found at:
1. [2] A group of bronze swords and daggers
2. [3] A bronze spearhead
Alexander Kim
