Subject: Iron Smelting

From: "David C. Hufford" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 22 Jan 1996 06:59:14 -0500 (EST)

For anyone who might have an interest in the history of iron technology, 
there is an article by Gill Juleff in the January 4, 1996 issue of 
Nature (vol 379, pp 60-63) titled `An ancient wind-powered iron smelting 
technology in Sri Lanka'.  It's a report from an archaeological project 
which describes a unique type of natural-draught furnace which dates to 
about the first century AD.  Field trials with replicas indicate these 
wind-powered furnaces are capable of producing high-carbon steel, 
including `wootz'.  Perhaps someone could build one of these furnaces on 
the west side of a hill in their back yard and produce some Damascus?

David C. Hufford