Final answer:
The Bronze Age preceded the Iron Age because bronze—made of copper and tin—was easier to obtain from ores than iron. Iron, however, became the preferred material when advancements in metallurgy were developed and long-distance trade of tin collapsed, making it difficult to produce bronze.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Bronze Age preceded the Iron Age in most places because the materials for bronze—copper and tin—were easier to obtain from ores than iron, which almost exclusively occurs in oxidized forms like rust (Fe2O3). Additionally, the collapse of long-distance trade routes made the sourcing of tin more difficult, leading to a decline in bronze manufacturing. Iron, being more plentiful and not reliant on trade for alloy components, gradually became the material of choice once the technological advancements in iron smelting were made, allowing for the extraction of a pure element from its oxidized ores.
The onset of the Iron Age marked significant advancements in metalworking technology. With the disruption in the trade of tin and the necessity of finding an alternative to bronze, ancient civilizations developed steeling, quenching, and tempering techniques to make iron significantly stronger than bronze. Iron's abundance and the independence from requiring an alloy meant it could now serve as the primary material for tools and weapons, transforming economies and societies as a result.