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Iron gradually replaced bronze for tools and weapons despite being harder to produce.
The Hardness:
Iron, especially when carburized and properly heat-treated, was harder than bronze. An iron sword held its edge longer, penetrated armor more effectively, survived combat better.
The Availability:
Iron ore existed nearly everywhere. Bronze required tin and copper from specific locations, requiring trade networks. Iron could be produced locally, making communities independent.
The Economy:
Once the techniques were mastered, iron was cheaper than bronze. The ore was abundant, the fuel (charcoal) could be produced locally, the tools were simpler. Bronze’s requirement for rare tin made it increasingly expensive.
The Power:
Iron’s anti-Otherworld properties gave it symbolic advantages. It repelled demons, protected against evil, marked the boundary between civilization and chaos. These were not superstitions but cultural meanings that reinforced iron’s practical superiority.
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