The discovery of metal is widely touted as the most significant milestone in the history of mankind since the invention of the wheel. Had it not been for metals and the fillip they gave to the advancement of civilization, mankind would have been stuck in the Stone Age for ever, using crude stone weapons for hunting and crafting stone tools and utensils for daily use.
Gold was the first of the ancient metals to be discovered, followed by copper, silver, lead, tin, mercury and iron. The ancients could not find any practical applications for gold and silver in their day to day life as they were soft metals with low boiling points. But instead of being relegated to the background they were used to make jewels due to their high malleability and ductility. It was not until copper was discovered that mankind found practical applications for metals. Copper was ideal for crafting weapons and tools and led to significant advancement in metallurgy post its discovery.
In time, other metals like tin and mercury were also discovered and found application as additives for making alloys. Bronze an alloy of copper, made by combining it with tin, found significant utilitarian value in the life of the ancients and were used to craft utensils and statues. Mercury was given the name of liquid silver due to its high lustre and resemblance to molten silver and is said to have been worshipped by the Egyptians. The last of the ancient metals to be discovered was iron and its discovery had momentous implications for the growth of civilization by bringing about unprecedented advancements in the field of weaponry and tool manufacture.
