Ancient Egyptian Metallurgy

The practical points brought out by this work are: ( 1) The value of microscopical examination in the study of ancient specimens: (2) The probability of a much earlier iron age in Egypt than that generally accepted: (3) The early use of the " cire perdu " process for castings; and (4) the comparatively late use of cold working associated with annealing for the shaping of vessels, etc. During that tremendous lapse of time he had emerged from a state of utter barbarism, and, if we are to believe some scientists, had developed from an animal propelling himself on four legs into a being of human form capable of making implements and weapons for industrial and warlike purposes. The primitive natives of Egypt, like those of other prehistoric lands, in their search for improvements upon the stone-throwing methods of hunting and warfare of their simian coinhabitants, quickly learnt to fashion very useful implements of flint, and before the beginning of the historic age, the workmanship of these reached a standard of excellence superior to that of any other ancient country.