Damascus steel had its origins in the early days of the iron age. It was found that by folding and welding iron in a carbon fire you could produce steel, a hardenable iron product capable of producing superior tools and weapons. Nearly every culture in the world developed some form of Damascus steel. There are Viking era swords that clearly show intricately developed patterning. In Malaysia, the Kris is renown for its complicated laminated patterned steels. Perhaps the highest form was developed in Japan. The Japanese through a process of forge welding wrought iron and a high carbon product called tamahagane produced swords of exceptional quality and beauty. The amount of patterns one can obtain are endless and depend on materials and the techniques used.