The goal of the study is to arrive at a clear definition of the Early Iron Age in the Eastern Mediterranean, to pinpoint its beginnings as a technological entity, and to examine whether and in what ways the introduction of iron in the several regions of the Eastern Mediterranean may be considered part of a single, related phenomenon. The areas considered are Palestine, North Syria, Cyprus, Greece, Crete, the Aegean Islands, Anatolia, and Egypt. The evidence for iron in the Bronze Age and in the period 1200-900 B.C. is examined. Iron came into common use for utilitarian needs only in the 10th century B.C. A discussion of distribution and accessibility of raw materials shows that iron ores were widespread but tin was absent. It is suggested that the catastrophes at the end of the Bronze Age created a situation in which the main supply link to the eastern source of tin was cut and the trading systems disrupted. With reduced access to tin the peoples of the Eastern Mediterranean turned to iron which was nearest to hand. -- AATA