Main content
A Time of Upheaval
Copper began to be used in the late Neolithic period, but only in the Copper Age ((3500 - 2300 BC) did it begin to be worked regularly into weapons, tools and jewellery.
The knowledge of how to extract and refine copper spread came to Europe from the Near East via the Balkans and the Mediterranean region. The new resource brought about a fundamental economic and social transformation.
New trades in metallurgy emerged, leading to differentiation within the social structure.
Bartering with the new raw material and finished products promoted trade and established far-reaching cultural contacts. It also led to wider settlement of the Alpine region, which became economically important due to its rich copper deposits. However, only wealthy communities and individuals could afford the precious metal.C opper implements were therefore symbols of wealth and power.
Differences in wealth gave rise to a need to protect communities against attacks. For this reason settlements were built in naturally fortified positions that were easy to defend.
