In the 14th century smelting was widespread according to the investigations of archeologists. By the late 16th or early 17th century the Bassar region is documented as becoming a large scale producer for supra-regional export to Europe. Burkea africana , was the preferred tree for charcoal in Bassar, although there is a list of about 22 hardwood trees found satisfactory to produce charcoal for iron smelting. There were sites identified by Germans containing up to 500 furnaces. These furnaces could deforest 4.8 km in all directions in the course of a single year.
Iron ore is abundant in Africa.
Ferrous art is quite common despite the bias researchers exhibit by only discussing Africans utilization of cooper, brass, and bronze metallury technology. According to Africa archeologists and historians, the introduction of iron technology into sub-Saharan Africa positively shaped African civilization as well. The Iron Age meant In the Ancient Ghana and Mali Empires the introduction of iron agricultural implements and weapons meant increased food production and superior military strength respectively. For example, a 12th century geographer, al-Zuhri, reported that Ghanaians raided peoples with no iron. Ghanaians fought with swords and spears, and their opponents were only armed with staves of ebony.