iron age

The story

1. Danish · calque ofjernalder
2. Latin · calque ofsaecula ferrea
3. English todayIron Age

From iron + age, in the mythological sense a calque of Latin saecula ferrea, aetas ferrea; in the archaeological sense a calque of Danish jernalder.

First known use, by meaning

• from 16th c. The most recent and debased of the four or five classical Ages of Man; hence, any period characterized by wicked behavior.
• from 16th c. An age characterized by the use of iron.
• from 19th c. A level of culture in which humans used iron and the technology of ironworking. (Estimated to have begun in Europe about 1100 BC)