The emergence and spread of the Bronze Age continues to drive scholarly debate across many disciplines, from theoretical, funerary and economic archaeology to archaeometallurgy and social archaeology. This volume brings together leading experts from around the world looking at the Bronze Age as a global phenomenon.

Papers examine the emergence and spread of bronze metallurgy, its role in society and impact on developing economies. Case studies range from China through Europe and to Africa and South America. Each chapter highlights a particular region and its unique trajectories, while the book as a whole provides a fascinating overview of the richness and diversity of Bronze Age archaeology.