FWIW, Wootz steel was the first crucible steel, and it was made by Indian iron masters. This was the first process by which it was possible to make steel in useful-sized billets (several pounds). It was a valuable item of commerce for a very long time, and so-called 'Damascus', or patterned Oriental steel blades are almost universally made from Wootz steel billets of Indian origin, no matter where the blade was actually forged. Apparently Damascus was, at one time, a center for production of such blades - but the smiths there did not make the steel - they just produced the blades.
mhb - Mike