The Chalcolithic period, or Copper Age, derives its name from the Greek words for "copper" (khalkós) and "stone" (líthos). Often considered part of the broader Neolithic era, it was originally seen as a transition to the Bronze Age. In Eastern Europe, the term "Eneolithic" is commonly used instead.
During this period, copper was the main metal used in technology, preceding the discovery that combining tin with copper created bronze, a stronger alloy.
