Chemistry - Discovery of Elements

Introduction

• Most likely copper was the first element, which was mined and used by humans.

• The evidence of earliest use of copper was found in Anatolia, which belongs to 6,000 BCE.

• The lead was most likely the second element that humans start using.

• The oldest known artifact of lead is statuette, which was found in a temple of Osiris, Abydos, Egypt.

• The statuette of Osiris temple belongs to (about) 3,800 BCE.

• The oldest known gold treasure was discovered in Varna, Necropolis (Bulgaria).

• This gold treasure belongs to (about) 4,400 BCE.

• Discovery of silver is almost same as of gold; its evidence was found in Asia Minor.

• Some evidence say that the iron was known from (about) 5,000 BCE.

• The oldest known iron objects, which was used by the humans, were found in Egypt (belongs to 4000 BCE).

• The following table illustrates the significant elements with their discovery date and discovers −