For more than a century, evidence for the production of crucible steel in Central and Southern Asia, prior to European Industrial Revolution, has fascinated challenged material scientists, historians archaeologists. At same time, chromium-alloyed stainless was developed early 20th building upon 19th century experiments with low chromium steel. Here we demonstrate new intentional addition nearly...

In 1278, Yemeni troops conquered the city of øafār (Fig. 1). They were sent by the Rasūlid sultan al-Muúaffar, son of the founder of the Rasūlid dynasty which dominated South-West Arabia until the middle of the fifteenth century.(1) The Rasūlid court historian al-¿azrajī describes the victory: “And when the sultan, may God have mercy on him, conquered the city of øafār (...) and Sālim son of Id...

J. Wiesehöfer, in the final contribution to volume takes a look at descriptions and drawings of historical sites, particular Persepolis, by early travellers Persia, including luminaries such as C. Niebuhr, C.J. Rich Ker Porter, well H. Rawlinson W. K. Loftus. He critically notes imperialistic ambitions later 19th century expeditions contrasts them with earlier endeavours driven sheer curiosity;...

Mar Aba and Paul the Persian, two theologians from Persia, traveled to lived in Constantinople first half of sixth century. During their journey stay, they used were supported by an East Syrian network already existing capital. The present study focuses on Sleepless monks, one key elements this network, connections with Syrian, Greek, Latin worlds, including Leontius Byzantium Cassiodorus.