Re: Iron use: 4000BC

On 21 Aug 2007 08:17:22 -0700, TomS <TomS_member@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
<197709442.000160ab.003.0001@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> :

"On Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:07:31 -0500, in article
<slrnfclvtj.1qpc.wettering@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Mark VandeWettering
stated..."
[...snip...]
Iron use does go back to 4000B.C. It was largely because of meteroric
iron. The ability to smelt iron from ore only happened much later.
We know this because the _furnaces_ themselves _don't_ rust and _aren't_
recycled. These furnaces are rather specialized because of the high
temperatures required. We see no evidence of them anywhere near
4000 B.C.
[...snip...]

Which makes me wonder how people ever came up with the
idea of smelting iron. Why ever think of making higher
temperature furnaces?

Possibly because meteorites are hot when they first fall from the sky,
and if current furnaces can't re-melt the meteorite, a hotter one may
be required. But admittedly, this is sheer speculation.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Iron use: 4000BC
    ... The ability to smelt iron from ore only happened much later. ... These furnaces are rather specialized because of the high ... idea of smelting iron. ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Iron use: 4000BC
    ... The ability to smelt iron from ore only happened much ... These furnaces are rather specialized because of the ... A small amount of the surface ablates upon entry for a few ... The meteorite may heat slightly upon impact with the ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Iron use: 4000BC
    ... The ability to smelt iron from ore only happened much later. ... These furnaces are rather specialized because of the high temperatures required. ... A small amount of the surface ablates upon entry for a few seconds, then the meteor hits terminal velocity and the surface is cooled by wind. ... The meteorite may heat slightly upon impact with the ground, but is unlikely to get hot, especially considering that it started out extremely cold in space. ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Iron use: 4000BC
    ... The ability to smelt iron from ore only happened much later. ... These furnaces are rather specialized because of the high temperatures required. ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Iron use: 4000BC
    ... The ability to smelt iron from ore only happened much later. ... These furnaces are rather specialized because of the high temperatures required. ... A small amount of the surface ablates upon entry for a few seconds, then the meteor hits terminal velocity and the surface is cooled by wind. ... The meteorite may heat slightly upon impact with the ground, but is unlikely to get hot, especially considering that it started out extremely cold in space. ...
    (talk.origins)