[TheForge] historical blacksmithing questions

[terry l. ridder]

hello;;

are there any examples of metalic meteorites being used by blacksmiths
to make metal objects?

i was talking with an astronomer this evening and they said that there
are millions of metric tons of nearly pure iron and nickel meteorites
in the asteroid belt. they assume that over the millennia that iron and
nickel meteorites large enough so that some part of it would reach the
earth's surface happened repeatedly. as to whether these would be found
by the local in the area depends on many variables. the trajectory of
the meteorite upon hitting the earth's surface. they have a higher
probability of hitting water than land since 2/3 of the earth of covered
by water.  the meteorites have to hit the earth's atmosphere at just the
right angle for its given velocity to enter the atmosphere and not just
bounce back off into space. it has to be large enough that is does not
just burn up in the atmosphere.

so are there any known examples of past
blacksmiths/metalsmiths/alchemists using metalic meteorites in their
trade?
any contemporary journals/diaries that give a description of a metalic
meteorite being used in their trade?

i would assume that any metalic meteorite would be considered highly
valuable. i would also assume that they may have "spiced" up the value
by implying that this "heavenly object" had "supernatural powers".

other than wood cuttings and wood block prints, do we have any examples
of blacksmith journals or diaries? i would assume that the blacksmith
would be able to read and write, this may be a completely wrong
assumption.

at what point in history do we know that blacksmith were able to read
and write?

-- 
terry l. ridder ><>