Twenty iron implements and specimens of Japan (7th century-18th century), India, China (ca 3rd century B.C.), and Iran (10th century, B.C.?) were analyzed by atomic absorption and neutron activation, and studied microscopically. Concentrations of manganese and sulfur in ancient iron specimens are very low (ca 40 ppm) compared with modern-technology iron. In many specimens titanium was detected, indicating the use of iron sand as a raw material. -- AATA