ABSTRACT
The texts on metallurgy describe the extraction of metal from ore, its refinement and preparation either for immediate use or to produce a metal of superior quality by alloying or by special treatment. Of the three principal roles of metallurgists, smelting, forging, and metalworking, this chapter has texts on the former two. Texts on metalworking are in Chapter 10.
The first stages of metallurgy probably arose by accident when shiny lumps of native metal were unintentionally hammered and heated. The discovery of the smelting of ores represents its most important stage, since this led to the search for and refinement of known metals and the recovery of other, non-native metals (lead and antimony). Further experimentation led to the development of alloys and other processes such as casting, but this was accomplished with little understanding of the true chemical nature of either ores or metals. As a result, the descriptions of procedures and treatments, especially Pliny the Elder’s, are often confused. Nevertheless, the working of metal became more complex, and the role of the smith increased substantially as knowledge improved and new refining, alloying, and working processes developed. The raw and worked metals stimulated trade, agriculture, and other activities to produce more and better items for barter; the metals themselves became the standard of exchange, first as specified weights and then as minted coins (Chapter 11).
