Metallographic evidence from a range of iron objects from graves in the Upemba Depression (southeastern Zaire), dating from about 500 to 1800, and from nine axes found at two sites in Zimbabwe, dating from the 12th-16th centuries, is discussed. This gives a fresh perspective on the significance of African iron artifacts, based on whether they are utilitarian or expressive (i.e., decorative, symbolic, politic insignia, currency, etc.) and how this is related to the probable properties of the metal as determined by metallographic studies.