Western Zhou Craftsmen

This is a Quizhong Hu bronze vessel which was one of the many vessels made by the craftsmen in Ancient Western Zhou. The craftmen made all sorts of vessels, tools and weapons. Creating vessels were their main product until around 750 B.C. where they created the first metal coins which replaced the cowrie shells that were used as exchange. Then around 700 B.C. the Zhou craftsmen learned to heat high enough temperatures to mealt iron ore. They invented cast iron by adding carbon to the iron while it was still melting. This really helped since iron is much stronger then other metals like bronze.