Metal Works in acient IRAN

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Metallic statute of human
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Lorestan (2000 B.C.)

"The art of metalwork is special for horse-riding nations like the Parses" , L. Van den Bergh

Exploring metal, was the beginning of important changes in the civilization of man. Without any doubt, the first people, who were successful in making metal objects, were the pioneers of their age. In Iran, the art of metal work goes back to the pre historic era.

The people who were living on Iran's plateau first proceeded to metal work because of necessity. But little by little this industry was combined with artistic creativity.

In the myths about ancient Persians, there are splendid tales about how metal was explored. Ferdowsi, the great epic Persian poet, has told some of these historically originated tales in his very famous poetical work "Shahname".

In "Avesta," the holy book of ancient Iranians, four kinds of metals, gold, silver, steel and a kind of Iron-alloy are mentioned.

"It is correct the statement which said Iran had been the first country in which metal was used. Because, unlike "Beinolnaherin" (Mesopotamia), Egypt and the "Sind Valley" this country has been rich in mines of metal. Metals like gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, had been quarried in Iran and mostly in an area called "Carmania".

Ancient discoveries in different parts of Iran tell us that the people of this land in addition to the exploration of different kinds of metals were skillful in making varieties of metallic objects and alloys. They also invented the first kind of copper forge in order to form metal.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Metallic Fire stand and Idol- Lorestan (1000 B.C)
From the fifth thousand years (BC) little copper objects have been found in "Sialk" of "Kashan", which were formed by hammering. The dwellers of this area were aware of forming characteristic of copper. In order to melt the copper, they needed to have forges with a temperature of about 1,200 degree centigrade, but their primary forges failed to reach such a temperature. In the fourth to the second thousand years (B.C.) they invented bellow and by using this device air was passed into the forge forcefully to raise the temperature up to 1200'.

This temperature was enough for melting copper. In an epigraph explored in "Shush," metal workers are shown blowing into the forge.)

In the second part of the third thousand years (B.C.), using metal flourished. Bronze and silver objects were found in "Shush" and "Tepe-Hissar":

"Tepe Ciyan" belonged to this era of developing of art with metal work. At the end of the third and the second thousand years (B.C.) art in bronze work in Iran was greatly improved and was carried out skillfully. Artistic artisans combined copper with tin and produced a kind of alloy and by combining of copper with zinc produced a bronze alloy.

Explorations about civilization belonging to "Sialk," "Hasanlue," "MarIik," and "Ziwiye" showed that metal work was widespread among the people of these areas and that the artisans of this races were skillful artists.

The art of using metal started from the "Kassites" era in "Zagross" region. Metal industries were improved during this age. Without any doubt, the way of life of the people, herding and farming, was a suitable factor of this progress. This industry increased so rapidly that at present, there can be found many forges and main mines of explored metals on Iran's plateau boundary mountain chains and at the margin of central desert. During a long period of change, the use of stone arms and tools were abolished as metal arms like daggers, lances and copper poniard became plentiful

Bahram