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The Three Age System is a chronological framework used in archaeology to divide prehistory into three distinct periods based on the predominant materials used for toolmaking: the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. This system was proposed by the Danish archaeologist Christian Jürgensen Thomsen in the early 19th century and has since become a foundational concept in archaeological classification and periodization.

1. Stone Age:

   • The Stone Age is the earliest period in human prehistory, characterized by the widespread use of stone tools for hunting, gathering, and early forms of agriculture. It is further subdivided into the Paleolithic (Old Stone Age), Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age), and Neolithic (New Stone Age) based on technological and cultural developments.
   • The Paleolithic period spans from the emergence of the earliest stone tools around 2.5 million years ago to the end of the last Ice Age around 10,000 BCE. It includes significant milestones such as the development of tool industries, the use of fire, and the emergence of modern humans (Homo sapiens).
   • The Mesolithic period follows the Paleolithic and is characterized by the development of microlithic tools, increased mobility, and adaptations to changing environments. It bridges the gap between the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods.
   • The Neolithic period marks the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settlement, with the domestication of plants and animals, the development of pottery, and the establishment of permanent settlements. It represents a significant advancement in human social and economic organization.

2. Bronze Age:

   • The Bronze Age is characterized by the widespread use of bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, for tools, weapons, and artifacts. It follows the Neolithic period and represents a major technological advancement in metallurgy and craftsmanship.
   • The Bronze Age is associated with the rise of complex societies, urbanization, trade networks, and the emergence of early civilizations in regions such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, and the Mediterranean.

3. Iron Age:

   • The Iron Age marks the widespread adoption of iron metallurgy for toolmaking, replacing bronze as the primary material for weapons and artifacts. It follows the Bronze Age and is associated with significant cultural, social, and political developments.
   • The Iron Age is characterized by the emergence of iron-working techniques, the expansion of trade networks, the rise of new empires and states, and the development of written languages and administrative systems.

Overall, the Three Age System provides a broad framework for understanding the chronological sequence of human prehistory and the technological, cultural, and social changes that occurred over time. While it has been refined and supplemented by more detailed archaeological chronologies, the Three Age System remains a fundamental concept in archaeological classification and interpretation.