Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
Iron is a mineral that is present quite abundantly in the earth's crust (approximately 4.5%), most of it in the form of oxides. This probably partly explains the later development of iron metallurgy compared to other materials, such as gold and copper, which are usually found in high purity states that are easier to exploit and / or melt. Even so, it is known that iron was used already in prehistory, although on a very small scale and certainly not in construction. The oldest piece of iron discovered is believed to have been made around 4 thousand years before our era in Egypt. Coincidentally, the oldest reference to iron is found in Chapter IV of the Book of Genesis -which is presumed also written around 4 thousand years BC.- and that mentions “Tubal-Cain; that is the one who forges all kinds of copper and iron tools ”. Found pieces dating from between 4,000 and 2,500 BC have been found in various regions of the fertile crescent and Egypt, but they account for a very isolated and sporadic use of this metal, often from meteorites. This characteristic of meteoric iron accentuates its value which, in cases such as Andean America or Yucatan, exceeded that of gold.