Manufacturing bronze objects was a complicated process involving multiple stages. The first step involved the mining and sorting of only the best pieces of ore. The heating of ores to extract copper, tin, and other elements for bronze production was a highly difficult stage of production, as it required the technology to achieve and maintain high temperatures. Copper, tin, lead, and other elements obtained through this process were expertly combined into a molten liquid mixture that was poured into a mold made of stone or clay. Finally, a whetstone was used to sharpen the blade or to add other finishing touches to the final product.