Ancient Blacksmiths, The Iron Age, Damascus Steels, And Modern
Metallurgy The history of iron and Damascus steels is described
through the eyes of ancient blacksmiths. For example, evidence
is presented that questions why the Iron Age could not have
begun at about the same time as the early Bronze Age (i.e.
approximately 7000 B.C.). It is also clear that ancient
blacksmiths had enough information from their forging work,
together with their observation of color changes during heating
and their estimate of hardness by scratch tests, to have
determined some key parts of the present-day iron-carbon phase
diagrrun. The blacksmiths’ greatest artistic accomplishments
were the Damascus and Japanese steel swords. The Damascus sword
was famous not only for its exceptional cutting edge and
toughness, but also for its beautiful surface markings. Damascus
steels are ultrahigh carbon steels (UHCSs) that contain from 1.0
to 2.1% carbon. The modem metallurgical understanding of UHCSs
has revealed that remarkable properties