Pronssikauden

Pronssikauden, literally the Bronze Age in Finnish, refers to a prehistoric period in which societies began to use bronze—an alloy of copper and tin—for a wide range of tools, weapons, and ornaments. The Bronze Age occurred at different times around the world, with dates varying by region. In much of Europe and Asia it spans roughly from 3200 to 600 BCE, while in northern regions including Finland it is typically dated to about 1500 to 500 BCE, after which the Iron Age followed.

A defining feature of the Bronze Age is the metallurgical revolution that enabled stronger and more durable implements than stone. Bronze tools and weapons facilitated agricultural productivity, craft production, and military capabilities. The period also saw the rise of long-distance exchange networks to obtain tin and copper, new forms of craft specialization, and more widespread use of metalwork in jewellery and ritual objects. Settlements often grew larger, and in some areas there are indications of increasing social differentiation and the emergence of elite classes.

Cultural expressions during the Bronze Age include distinctive pottery styles, burial practices with accompanying grave goods, and the appearance of metal-based prestige items. Archaeological remains range from small village settlements to more fortified sites and hillfort-like structures in some regions, reflecting evolving social organization and security needs.

The end of the Bronze Age varies by region but generally coincides with the arrival or spread of ironworking and new cultural or political dynamics that usher in the subsequent Iron Age. Changes in trade, technology, and social structure during the Bronze Age laid important foundations for later European and Eurasian societies.