The metal ages: Eneolithic, Bronze and Iron

The Hittites of Asia Minor (14th–13th centuries BCE) were the first to make iron tools, and later the peoples of Mesopotamia, Iran and Transcaucasia used iron too. Working iron was hard because it needs high heat, but it is harder than copper and bronze. Pure iron was rare, so at first it was used for ornaments. The first iron tools in Central Asia date from the 9th–8th centuries BCE. Iron ploughs and axes allowed farming on large areas and raised productivity. In times of frequent wars, unions of tribes formed, led by elected military leaders — this period is called military democracy. According to the Avesta, society was based on the “nmana” (a large patriarchal family); several nmanas formed a “vis” (clan community), vises a “zantu” (tribe), and a union of tribes a “dax’yu” (land).