Metapan of the iron: historical sketch on the steel recognition during the 17 th, 18th, y 20 th centuries
José Orión Castellón Frech
Published 2026 - 06 -01
Keywords
- Metapán (El Salvador),
- steel industry,
- research,
- rock-forming minerals,
- iron
- smelting,
- archaeology,
- material culture ...More
Copyright (c) 2026 Universidad Tecnológica de El Salvador
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Abstract
This article is part of the results obtained during research carried out between 2020 and 2021, whose objective is to shed light on a series of aspects related to the recognition, treatment, exploitation, and positioning within transatlantic trade during a period of economic, political, and social effervescence and splendor in the historic iron production of the ancient region of Metapas del Fierro (now the department of Metapán), department of Santa Ana, El Salvador.
For the development of this study, an exploratory,
qualitative, and documentary method was used, drawing on bibliographic research from primary and secondary sources, the establishment of theoretical postulates, and historiographical interpretation, with the aim of establishing a diachronic and synchronic view of the evolution of iron on the southern border of the then Kingdom of Guatemala, approached from the perspective of historical archaeology.
Finally, based on the results, a proposal is generated for a hypothetical reconstruction of an ancient ironworks located in the region, using digital graphics programs, with the aim of providing the reader with a greater understanding.