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How Did Iron Age Affect The Advancement Of Africa?

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Africa’s history is unlike any other. Africa made discoveries technological advancements in a different sequence then western civilizations. For example, the Iron Age came before the Copper or Bronze Age unlike many other societies. This puzzles many because it would seem to be very difficult to make the advancement in Iron that Africa did without any major prior knowledge on metals. Iron is the backbone in defining Africa because of the historical and cultural influence through the Iron Age, civilization advancements, and technological discoveries. The Iron Age was a catalyst in the advancement of Africa as a whole. However, the origin of this Iron Age still remains a mystery. The large amount of information points to several possible origins …show more content…
The furnace was a cyndrical clay figure with hand operated bellow to help reach the perfect level of heat. Ironsmiths should have basic knowledge of physic-chemical process. The products are a sponge of malleable iron and slag. From there it is separated from the slag and reshaped by hammering and heating.
To begin the process, ironsmiths needed iron ore. The earth is mostly iron, so all they needed to do was search and find it. To prepare the iron for smelting, it was roasted. Charcoal was needed to help with the heat. First, the furnace needs to be hot. Then charcoal was added until the furnace was full. The iron was then added after the smoke stopped. Iron and charcoal are added continuously for two to four hours. As the furnace cools, spongy iron attaches to the furnace walls.
Iron was the main material in a lot of everyday items, such as iron furnace bases and walls. It had great economic importance and popular in trade. Iron was a revolutionary metal. It was hard and sharp and suitable for more things. Iron was more efficient than stone, copper, and bronze and able to do more. Iron was a cheaper metal, so weaponry became much more available. Today’s ironsmiths still incorporate traditional knowledge and techniques in production of modern

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