iron

Iron in Ancient Egypt

Iron, the hardest metal known to the ancient Egyptians, was called the "Bones of Set" and was used to make tools, cooking implements, magical objects used in mummification rituals, and small amulets. Although there were iron mines at Wadi Dib, Wadi Hammamat, and at sites near Aswan, much of the iron used in ancient Egypt had to be imported. High-grade ores were rare, and the lack of hardwood or coal needed to achieve high temperatures prevented any large scale iron production in Egypt. Meteoric iron was highly prized, and Egyptian beads made of meteoric iron date to 3500 B.C.E. The Blessing of Ptah says "I have wrought thy organs of iron."

Egyptian Metals