Final answer:
Bronze is made primarily from copper, with about 10% tin, and sometimes other metals. It has been used since ancient times, particularly during the Bronze Age, for its hardness and durability in tools and sculptures. The lost-wax casting method was commonly used to create bronze items.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bronze is an alloy predominantly made from copper and tin. This mixture has been in use for thousands of years, dating back to at least 3500 BCE, and is known for its hardness and durability. Bronze is primarily copper, typically combined with about 10% tin, and sometimes small quantities of other metals or elements. The invention of bronze marked a significant advance in technology, known as the Bronze Age, and led to the development of more effective tools and weapons compared to those from the Stone Age.
The lost-wax casting method was an ancient process used to create detailed bronze sculptures, artifacts, and tools. To produce bronze, copper was heated and mixed with tin, then poured into molds to set. The resulting alloy was harder than pure copper and could be cast into durable objects, greatly impacting the advancement of civilizations.