Who discovered or synthesized iron?

Answer 1

Iron is an element. It was discovered in ancient meteors long before historical records existed. It was probably first smelted by the Hittites in what is now central Turkey in about 1400 B.C. At that time bronze was a far better material than iron and the iron may have been a by product of smelting the copper or tin used to make bronze. The Hittites learned how to make iron. This period of time is called, "The Old Iron Age." While bronze weapons were far better than iron, they could equip an entire army with iron weapons. The small group of Hittites conquered a large empire including Egypt. The Egyptians learned to make iron and threw out the Hittites. The Greeks moved in to the Hittite area and learned how to make iron. The Philistines fled the area and brought iron making techniques to the area they settled. They also set up a trading network and sold iron making techniques as far as India. The Philistines began smelting iron in that area about 1,100 B.C. About 200 years later in 900 B.C. improved smelting techniques were developed and the New Iron Age began. These iron implements were far better. Then in about 30 A.D. The Romans developed steel. The Roman steel swords could slice through the enemies' iron swords.