WALT understand why Bronze Age people mined copper

350, 000 years ago At the end of the Stone Age, early people made tools from stone 3000 years ago 4000 years ago In the Bronze Age they discovered they could make tools from Bronze – a type of metal.

Bronze is made from two different metals. Copper To mix copper and tin together, they first had to heat the metals up so they would melt and become a liquid. This process is called Smelting Tin By mixing these two metals together they created Bronze, which was a stronger metal.

Metals are found deep under the ground. To get to the copper, Bronze Age people would have to dig through the ground to create mines. Lots of children would work in the mines because they were able to squeeze through the small spaces.

They used Bronze to make tools, weapons, and armour. Items made from bronze lasted much longer than those that were made from stone. Tools were very important for early humans. As well as making weapons and armour, they were used for farming, and making clothes and pottery. Bronze tools could create finer details than stone tools. This made the items they made more useful.

Great Orme Mine: WANTED! Children needed for mining opportunity. The earth under our feet is hiding a rich treasure trove of copper. We need copper to make tools, pots and weapons. Children wanted for: • Squeezing into small cracks at the ends of tunnels • Scraping the earth • Pounding tougher rock with hammer stones • Fire setting (you will need to be good at lighting fires to do this!) Tools are provided (volcanic stones and animal bones, for reaching the fiddly spaces). Use the template to create an application form for the copper mine. Remember to include why you think you would be good for the job and why copper is so important for Bronze Age life.