Iron

During the surveys to 2014-2019, Northern Kuhdasht county was studied with the aim of identifying the potential of ancient metalwork and the existence of sites related to the metalworking activities. These Surveys have yielded eighty sites containing slag and or possible places related to industrial activities. In this research, the physical and chemical properties of slags recovered from ten places in four sites, namely Changari, Chalghesholeh, Sargiz, and Dalab, have been studied. The main purpose of this study has been to identify the type of smelting and melting techniques used in the past. For this aim, petrographic and elemental analyses have been done on the slag samples to investigate the mineralogical and chemical compositions.

By development of human scientific abilities, more miracle aspects and wonders of the Qur’an have been recognized. Stating the story of Dhu al-Qarnayn and constructing of dam, verses (Q.18:83-98) have pointed some valuable scientific aspects regarding chemistry, physics and metallurgy. The instruction for the structure reveals the non-accidental process, because the precise expected physical, chemical and metallurgical properties. The three-layer structures of dam with dendrite like microstructure in its matrix will guarantee the durable structure against most chemical destructive agent, mechanical damage and thermal threats. Hence the powerful people of Gog and Magog could not overcome the high tensile strength of iron, high ductility of copper and the high toughness of CuFe alloy. The high thermal and temperature resistance are the evidence for more structural power. Such masterpiece of engineering, in technology of alloying, could not be based on the knowledge of common craftsmen of that time, but it must have been based on superhuman wisdom. Consequently, although the Qur’an is a book of guidance, but it reports some original scientific issues, such as the Dhu al-Qarnayn story. These were not known in the age of revelation and after progressing in science, but the truth of considered issues has been proved. However, because of the clear instruction, and the precise prediction of properties, it is possible to use the verses as an excellent idea for scientific advancement, rather than reporting events. 

The artifact studied in this paper is a bimetallic sword made of bronze handle and an iron blade, which was excavated from the Tol ancient cemetery, located in Talash city, Gilan province, in 2001 by Mohammad Reza Khaltabari. This research aims to study the technology and pathology of the mentioned object by conducting comparative and archeological studies using the library method, conducting technological studies using the laboratory methods of radiography, metallography, and microstructural observations using a scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS). The phase analysis of corrosion products was done by X-ray diffraction (XRD), as well as knowing the manufacturing method and identifying the types of damage and corrosion. The result shows that this work belongs to the Iron Age. Also, the tests performed on the two parts of the handle and the blade showed that the material of the iron blade is iron-carbon alloy. The amount of carbon in different parts of the body of blade is not the same and the handle is made of bronze alloy with casting and hammering techniques. It also has a galvanic corrosion effect.