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Would it be possible to have an advanced technological society without abundant iron?

Howard Bobry
Port Townsend, Washington, US

Yes, an advanced technological society would be possible without abundant iron, assuming, of course, that our essential biological needs were met. Comparing societies with and without plentiful, low-cost iron, it may just be that economic forces would drive the “have nots” to become more advanced than the “haves”.

For most of human history, technology advanced without the use of iron. We moved on from bone and stone tools and weapons to using copper and then bronze. Iron, and its alloy, steel,…