Early Use of Iron

Abstract

THE early history of iron outlined in the address by Prof. Louis (NATURE, May 18, p. 762) has been carried much further back by discoveries in South Palestine, published in Gerar last year. Furnaces were found dated to 1100 and 1175 B.C.; the earlier was 67 in. × 36 in. At the side of the furnace lay great hoes, 11 in. × 5 in., plough socks, and a pick of 6 pounds weight, showing that iron was as commonly used then as now. The earliest example was a knife of 1350 B.C., and this accords with the date of the polished steel dagger of Tutankhamen. This year another steel dagger, with cast bronze handle, has been found, of about 1300 B.C.; as it was snapped in two anciently without any bending, it could not be soft iron.