What are led to the widespread use of Iron during the Iron age?a) Widespread availability and development of new furnace and heating technology. b) It could physically be hammered into different shapes easily. c) Lack of development. d) None of the above.
Answers
The first metals discovered by man were likely gold and copper, as native deposits of these elements can be found in forms pure enough for immediate working. The other “metals of antiquity” were silver, lead, tin, iron and mercury, bringing to seven the number of metals known to ancient man. Most of these metals had to be won from their corresponding ores by treatment under a controlled temperature and atmosphere. The most important alloys of these metals were bronze (copper and tin) and electrum (gold and silver). In all cases, the metals had to be worked to give the final desirable properties and shape. The processes used to refine and work metals were some of the most technologically advanced practices in ancient times. An historic account of how such relatively complicated processes evolved and what chemistry was involved will be given.