Comparison of Ancient Ironmaking between Ethiopia and Japan

摘要

It is said that the ironmaking method was developed in the Anatolian-Iranian region, that is, the Hittites Empire during the period of 1500-1000 B.C., the knowledge and technique of which were unique and national secret. After the declination of the Hittite Empire, the knowledge and technique began to spread into surrounding countries and later into considerable wide area. For example, toward the north, it reached as far as United Kingdom through Donau and/or Roma in 500 B.C. Toward the east, it reached as far as India and China in 500 B. C. and 300 B. C., respectively, via Silk Road, followed by the diffusion as “Tatara” ironmaking method in Japan through Korean Peninsula in the 6th century1). Also, toward the southward, the knowledge and technique were widely diffused in Africa.