4700 bce

Construction

Megalith structures consisting of large stones arranged over graves are built (Ireland and along the Atlantic coast of France). See also 3000 bce Construction.

A large copper factory for assembly line production of implements and ingots is constructed at Khirbat Hamra Ifadan (southern Jordan) with a dozen smelting furnaces and more than 80 rooms, courtyards, and other spaces devoted to production. Copper is refined here and tools from this plant circulate throughout the Middle East. The plant operates until about 2200 bce. See also 5000 bce Materials. (See essay.)