Syria's embattled government said Saturday it was setting up a ring of steel around Damascus, state media reported, as rebels on a lightning advance said they were bearing down on the city.

They found that four of the 26 pieces, including three bracelets, an ankle ring, and a pin ... the supposed invention of Indian wootz steel and Damascus steel," wrote the researchers.

Recreating Damascus steel remains a holy grail of materials science. The exact process and alloys used are long ago lost to time. At best, modern steelworking methods are able to produce a rough ...

The exception is its 30-mm (1.2-in) fold-out cutting blade, which is composed of Damascus steel. And if the Orioners ... with a bungee cord that has D-rings at either end, for extending the ...