The Iron Age is a period in human history that began around 1200 BCE and lasted until the early first millennium CE. It is characterized by the widespread use of iron tools and weapons, as well as the emergence of complex societies and civilizations. The Iron Age saw the development of new technologies, social structures, and cultural practices that laid the foundation for many aspects of modern society. This period is often divided into three sub-periods: the Early Iron Age, the Middle Iron Age, and the Late Iron Age, each marked by distinct cultural and technological developments. Archeologists study the Iron Age through the analysis of artifacts, sites, and other evidence to better understand the societies that existed during this time.