It is difficult to give a precise answer to how long people lived during the Iron Age, as lifespan varied greatly depending on location, social status, and access to resources.
Factors Affecting Lifespan in the Iron Age:
- Nutrition: The quality and quantity of food available significantly impacted health and lifespan.
- Disease: Infections and illnesses were common, and lack of sanitation and medical knowledge made them difficult to treat.
- Violence: Warfare, crime, and accidents were frequent, leading to early deaths.
- Social Status: Those with higher social status generally enjoyed better living conditions and access to healthcare, leading to longer lifespans.
Estimated Lifespan:
While exact figures are hard to come by, historians generally agree that the average lifespan in the Iron Age was likely between 30 and 40 years.
Important Note: This average lifespan includes infant and childhood mortality, which were high in the Iron Age. Individuals who survived childhood were likely to live longer.
Examples:
- Ancient Greece: Archaeological evidence suggests an average lifespan of around 35 years in ancient Greece during the Iron Age.
- Roman Empire: While the Roman Empire existed after the Iron Age, early Roman lifespans were similar to those of the Iron Age, with an average of about 30 years.
