Product Review

This volume, the 4th in the series of metallographic and metallurgical monographs, describes the microstructural components of iron, steel and cast irons as they were used in ancient and historic times. The text introduces the early period of the use of iron, and provides a brief account of furnaces and slags, important phase diagrams, the components of iron, steel and cast irons. The book describes the patination of iron, the production of iron wire and steel swords. Ferrous metalwork from area-specific studies are included from Africa, The Middle East, India, Europe, and North America. The text is illustrated in full colour throughout and supplemented by a glossary of terms and an index. The text will be invaluable for students of ancient metallurgy, conservation, materials science and archaeology.