How did they have metal rods 4000 years ago?

4000 years ago, we weren't apes. Think of the egyptians, one of the most civilised races on planet earth. If they could make clothes, pyramids, pottery out of clay, spears (which are made out of metal, rods with pointy bits) it is EXTREMELY obvious how they made metal rods/spears/sWords sheilds any kind of metal...

mine it from ore, smelt it in a furnace, then use a hammer to shape it into a rod or whatever (while the metal was still hot)