The ancient Egyptians made limited use of iron ore during the early periods of their civilization. Initially, they primarily worked with copper and bronze for tools and weapons. However, by the late Bronze Age and into the Iron Age (around 1200 BCE to 332 BCE), iron began to make its appearance.
Trade and Meteoric Iron: Early on, much of the iron used by Egyptians was meteoric iron, which they referred to as "metal from the sky." These small quantities were highly valued and often used for ceremonial or ritualistic objects, such as jewelry, amulets, and symbolic items.
Iron Smelting: By around 1000 BCE, the Egyptians began to develop the technology to smelt iron from terrestrial sources. This was a significant technological advancement that allowed for a more widespread use of iron. Still, it wasn't as abundant or as common as in later societies.
Tools and Weapons: As they improved their smelting techniques, iron increasingly replaced bronze for various tools and weapons. Iron tools were stronger and more durable, which proved advantageous for agricultural implements, carpentry tools, and military equipment.
Construction and Implements: Just like in other ancient civilizations, iron was used in the construction and manufacturing of various implements. However, due to the nascent state of their ironworking technology compared to later periods, the full potential of iron was not fully realized.
Overall, while iron was not as predominant in ancient Egypt as in some other contemporary cultures, its introduction marked significant technological progress and played a role in their development.
