The Iron Age What was the Iron Age? Iron Age was the era when iron was mostly used to make tools, weapons and traps. It was preceded by the bronze age and the stone age which were also known as paleolithic, Mesolithic. The concept of Iron Age was applied to Europe and the Ancient near east.Around 800 BC people in Britain learned how to use iron. This discovery had a dramatic impact on everyday life. Iron tools made farming much easier than before and settlements grew in size. Iron Age Britain was a violent place. People lived in clans that belonged to tribes led by warrior kings. Rival tribes fought with deadly iron weapons. Many people lived in hill forts to keep safe from attacks. The duration of the Iron Age depends on what region you want to know about. The 'Iron Age' began when the production of iron or steel was advanced to replace the use of bronze or stone tools. The iron age came to an end with the beginning of historiographical record.