Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Metalworking" in English language version.
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In ancient times, luxury items were characterised first of all by costly materials whose value derived from their rarity. Precious metals such as gold and silver as well as precious and semi-precious stones were luxury materials throughout the world of Antiquity. [...] the value [...] attributed to the raw material quite logically led to sophisticated treatments relying on highly developed techniques, marked in some cases by a purity and simplicity intended to show off the material itself, but in every case aiming at excellence, the perfect technical mastery or indeed transcendent skill that made for an outstanding piece.
In most cases the blacksmith is regarded with awe, if not with esteem. [...] The usual position of the smith in Black Africa [...] is one of high repute, and this is perhaps the logical status in a primitive society so much dependent on his skill and knowledge of metal working, just as it should have been among prehistoric men, to whom the craft would be a high mystery, a gift of the gods, or something akin to sorcery. [...] When the Babylonian conqueror carried away the princes and the mighty men of valour from Jerusalem, he also took all the craftsmen and smiths, and 'none remained save the poorest sort of people of the land'. [2 Kings 24:14]
