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1. Hypothesizing What advantageswould iron tools give a civilization?

See Skillbuilder Handbook, Page R15.

2. Comparing and Contrasting Use theInternet to research the history ofmodern ironworking techniques.What improvements have beenmade, and how do they benefit ourlife today?

African IronworkingRefining metal was an important technological advance in everycivilization. Africa was no exception. Iron tools were stronger thancopper or bronze tools, so iron tools and the technology to producethem were very valuable.

Producing iron began by mining the iron ore. The iron itself wasbound up with other minerals in rocks. The trick was separating theiron from the unwanted minerals. That was the function of the furnaceshown below. This process is known as smelting.

Layers of iron ore werealternated with layers ofcharcoal fuel inside thefurnace. Temperaturesinside the furnace wouldreach about 2000º F.

1

A tuyère (twee•YAIR) was aclay pipe that allowed air toflow through the furnace.

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The bellows—usually madeout of an animal skin with awooden plunger attached—increased air flow in thefurnace, thus raising thetemperature.

3

The intense heat wouldcause a chemical reaction,separating the iron from theimpurities.

4

The iron would collect andform what is called a bloom.After cooling, the bloom wasremoved. An ironsmith thenworked the bloom into thedesired tool or weapon.

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RESEARCH LINKS For moreinformation on ironworking,go to classzone.com

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African Language Families