The Bronze Age began around 1700 BC. The first iron objects were made in 800 BC, although bronze remained the most commonly used metal. The introduction of metals (initially copper and then later bronze) was very slow. The scarcity of the raw materials and the complexity of the metallurgical process meant that there were few bronze objects: trinkets, jewellery, weapons and choppers. Bronze was a prestigious substance reserved for the social elites and was not used for making farm implements.