Iron artifacts excavated at Arminna and Toshka West in Lower Nubia by the Pennsylvania–Yale Expedition to Egypt fall into two classes representing separate metallurgical styles. Artifacts from the Early through Late Meroitic periods (300 BC–AD 370), many of which are arrow, lance, or harpoon points, have high contents of phosphorus and arsenic; sophisticated, high-quality forge work; placement of steel at working edges; and the frequent use of piling. Artifacts from the X-Group and Christian periods (AD 370–1100) are of less distinguished metal quality, and lack features that define a distinct metallurgical style. Available evidence indicates that the Meroitic-period artifacts are products of the large-scale smelting of iron revealed by the furnace remains and massive slag piles found at Meroe, and represent a metallurgical tradition distinct from those of either sub-Saharan Africa or the Mediterranean basin. Martensite is absent in all of the artifacts. Steel was placed at the cutting edge of an Early Meroitic chisel.