Eli5 how was steel made/melted in ancient times? Coal wasn’t everywhere, was it?

Question

Eli5 how was steel made/melted in ancient times? Coal wasn’t everywhere, was it?

In: 128

Answer 1

Stack a bunch of wood on a pile, put dirt/clay over it to seal it, light it on fire and wait for a few days. Congratulations, you just made charcoal.