The Forge and the Crucible (French: Forgerons et alchimistes) is a 1956 book by the Romanian historian of religion Mircea Eliade.

It traces historical rites and symbols associated with mines, smiths and other metal workers.

An English translation by Stephen Corrin was published in 1962.

[1] A second edition, with an updated appendix and the subtitle "The Origins and Structure of Alchemy," was published in 1979.

Any serious student of man will be well rewarded for the effort expended, and demanded, by this solid exposition of an unusual subject.