Therefore, iron was not of major importance to the ancient Egyptians until the Late Period (664-332 BC). During this period, the Egyptians began to use iron for weapons, such as swords and spears. They also used it for tools, such as axes and chisels. However, iron was still relatively expensive and difficult to work with. Bronze remained the more common material for everyday tools and weapons.
The importance of iron in ancient Egypt grew greatly during the Hellenistic period (332-30 BC), when the Greeks and Romans introduced new technologies for smelting and forging iron. These technologies made it possible to produce iron more cheaply and easily. As a result, iron became more common in Egyptian tools, weapons, and other objects. By the Roman period (30 BC - 641 AD), iron was the primary metal used for tools and weapons in Egypt.
The widespread adoption of iron in ancient Egypt had a number of important consequences. It made it possible to produce tools and weapons that were stronger and more durable than those made of bronze. This led to advances in technology, agriculture, and warfare. Iron also played an important role in the development of Egyptian art and architecture. For example, the ancient Egyptians began to use iron to create large sculptures and to construct monumental buildings.