Worldbuilding

I found this to be tremendously helpful in charting the development of metallurgy for my own conworld. Because it's pretty old there are likely inaccuracies, but for getting worldbuilding ideas it's pretty solid.

In particular, the theory that smelting was discovered accidentally by placing a campfire on top of ore-bearing rocks or native copper deposits is cited as a previously held theory now regarded as incorrect. I however may use this theory to explain how yinrih discovered smelting since fire tending is a big part of the lore already.

I think the theory presented as most plausible in the show is that smelting emerged out of pottery kilns since they would provide a reducing atmosphere.