The Phaistos Disc most likely dating from about 1700 BC. Its purpose and meaning, and even its original geographical place of manufacture remains unknown, making it one of the most famous mysteries of archaeology.
Classically, the Iron Age is taken to begin with the Greek Dark Ages in the 12th centuryBC in Greece and the Ancient Near East, the 11th centuryBC in India and between the 8th (Central Europe) and 6th (Northern Europe) centuriesBC in Europe.
The Egyptian ruler Tutankhamun died in 1323 BC and was buried with an iron dagger with a golden hilt.
By 800 BC, it was spreading to Hallstatt C via the alleged "Thraco-Cimmerian" migrations.