Journal
Out of the Dust: Steel in Early Metallurgy
Title
Out of the Dust: Steel in Early Metallurgy
Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2006
Authors
Sorenson, John L. (Primary)
Journal
Journal of Book of Mormon Studies
Pagination
108-109, 127
Volume
15
Issue
2
Abstract
During the 19th century, critics of the Book of Mormon claimed that steel was not known in the Near East or ancient America during the appropriate Book of Mormon times. This assertion, if true, would discredit the authenticity of the Book of Mormon. However, in more recent decades, proof that Mesopotamian peoples used steel has been revealed. This discovery means that steel was used well before the oldest Book of Mormon people lived. Further research regarding steel in ancient America is still necessary; however, it appears that five Mesoamerican proto-languages have a word for metal, suggesting that the people who spoke those languages were familiar with some form of metal.
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Bibliographic Citation
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