Do Now Copy the HW for tonight: Quiz on section 3 Monday! Today we will be discussing an important discovery- bronze! Please read the paragraph under “The Bronze Age” that I am passing out. Read the section called “The Bronze Age” on page 23. Respond to questions #1-3 on your activity sheet. When you are done, you can put the textbook and your binders inside the desk.

The Bronze Age The next step was to make bronze. Bronze is an alloy, which is a metal made by mixing two other metals together. Bronze is a mix of copper and tin. Gold and silver are found naturally as metals in the earth. From early times, people found lumps of these metals and used them for simple ornaments. But the first useful metal to be worked was copper, which had to be mined from rocks, or ores, by heating in a fierce fire.

The Bronze Age Once the metal cools, it becomes a solid. Bronze was strong and easy to shape into, so everything from jewelry to swords were made of bronze. Bronze was a much better metal to use than copper: it was stronger, did not rust or decay, and lasted longer. Bronze objects were shaped when the hot liquid was poured into a mold.

Bronze Age Directions: With your group, read the section called “The Bronze Age” on page 23. Respond to the following questions. 1. How is bronze created?   2. Why is bronze a better material than copper? 3. What types of things were made out of bronze?

Bronze Age 1. How is bronze created? Melt a certain rock at a high temperature, and then take the copper from that rock and mix it with tin.  2. Why is bronze a better material than copper? It is much harder and more durable (lasts longer) 3. What types of things were made out of bronze? Weapons, tools, helmets, shields, jewelry

The advantages of bronze You and your group are going to visit six stations. At each station there will be a bronze object. For each object brainstorm and write down your ideas about: ______ Name of object ______ What it is used for ______ How this object will change/improve people’s lives (be specific)

Inventions of the Bronze Age Axe = used for building, cutting down trees Would be able to cut down trees faster (stronger metal), the axe would last longer Helmet = used for defense Would help save more lives, more durable Sword = used in battle Would make fighting more effective, fierce Pin = used to sew clothing, fabric Would make clothing better made, neater, stronger Bracelet = used for decoration Would make more expensive, longer lasting jewelry Nail = used to building Would make buildings/structures stronger

Closure Which bronze item do you think would have the biggest impact on people? Why?