Third Age

The Third Age was a period in history. It was preceded by the Second Age and followed by the Fourth Age. The Third Age was marked in the west by the increased growth of states and the effects of mining and Stone-Eaters on the population, which caused major shifts to the cultural structure. In the north and the east, the Third Age was characterized by settlements and group structures becoming more complex and technology becoming more advanced. In the Eastern Mountains, the Third Age was characterized by wars between groups and the growing number of sedentary settlements.