African Iron Age bloomeries show diverse characteristics but their operation suggests the utilization of preheated air, a technique that was not realized in Europe until the mid-19th century. Traditional Iron Age smelting practices are still known to the older men in many of the societies; the Haya represent a typical iron-smelting culture, one which has archaeological evidence of continual iron smelting activity dating back to 300 BC. Six Wazee in Buhaya were hired to demonstrate the traditional craft (they supervised the work of some younger men who were more physically capable of handling the labor). The entire procedure is described: mining, construction of the furnace, roasting, charcoal preparation, and smelting. -- AATA