Which mechanism caused widespread bronze tool failure in early Mesopotamian agricultural societies growing crops like wheat?

💡 Explanation

When bronze tools are repeatedly used to cut and till, the metal undergoes work hardening because repetitive impacts introduce dislocations within the atomic structure, reducing ductility and increasing brittleness, leading to fracture. Therefore work hardening results, rather than galvanic, eutectic melting, or from organic acids which require alternate material conditions.

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