Origin and discovery of metals

Metals have been a determining factor in the development of humanity since the dawn of the first advanced civilizations, so much so that everyday items from that time such as coins are still part of our daily lives. But do you know when metals were discovered and what inventions made from them marked history forever?

First of all, what do we mean by metal?

A metal is a solid, opaque, shiny chemical element that can act as a conductor of electricity and heat. Metals are characterized by their malleability and ductility (some more than others), they can be molded and stretched into different shapes without breaking, and they are not damaged by exposure to high temperatures. Metals are found in nature either in pure form — like gold, silver, copper and iron, in the form of alloys (combinations of different metals), or in combination with a non-metal, such as carbon.

Metal is extracted from rock as a solid, except for mercury, which is liquid at room temperature.  Currently, metals are used in a wide variety of objects and structures —from tools and machinery to buildings and bridges— due to their unique physical and chemical properties that give them great strength and durability. For all these reasons, they played a key role in the development of human civilization, as we will see below.

The Metal Age

The Metal Age is the last period of Prehistory, both in Asia and Europe, and approximately spans the years from 6000 to 1000 BCE. It is so called because this was the era when metals began to be discovered and worked, giving birth to the first metallurgical technologies. The period is divided, in turn, into three different stages: the Copper Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age.

The Copper Age

The Metal Age began with the first human discovery of metal: copper. The first manipulation and working of this material was by cold beating with a hammer, since the processes of smelting and forging had not yet been developed. As time went by, metallurgy techniques and some alloying began to appear, culminating in the discovery of bronze. This milestone marks the end of this first period and the beginning of the next: the Bronze Age.

The Bronze Age

The discovery of a certain copper alloy marked the birth of one of the most important metals in history and one of the most used to this day: bronze. It began to be used to forge tools, kitchenware, weapons, ornaments and utensils of all kinds. The emergence of this period is usually given as around 3000 BC, and its end around 1500 BC.

The Iron Age

The Iron Age is the last of the periods that make up the Metal Age. As with any historical period, especially prehistoric ones, it is not 100% known when it began or ended. Moreover, some civilizations began to use iron before others, the transition being favored by its abundance in their natural environments. What can be said is that iron replaced copper to a large extent due to its many desirable characteristics, such as its resistance. This was not an isolated event — it brought with it enormous economic, cultural and technological changes that were key to humanity’s development from about 1200 BC onwards. Agricultural and artisan techniques also evolved, as well as writing.

The most important Metal Age inventions

As we have already mentioned, during the Metal Age inventions and advances were made that were essential for the development of human civilization. Not only did metallurgy start to develop, but other sectors progressively evolved too, driven by inventions in areas such as mining, animal husbandry and agriculture.

Some of the most important were:

• Different casting techniques, as well as metal molding.
• The plow: a metal utensil that made it possible to pierce the soil and rotate it to stimulate its fertility. This made it possible for cultivated crops to proliferate.
• Tools: for example, for working land.
• Weapons and armor: allowing many previously subjugated peoples to come to the fore, forever changing the course of history.
• Fortifications and castles: the most developed fortifications began to appear, giving rise to the first medieval castles and fortresses.

Forging is also a vital process today, a key process for many indispensable parts in manufacturing and construction. Not only does it allow the creation of efficient tools and machinery, capable of withstanding heavy loads and wear, but it also ensures their durability and resistance. In addition, it is also fundamental in the creation of decorative elements of great beauty and elegance, such as railings, lamps and other ornamental objects that reinforce the value of the interior and exterior spaces where they are placed.

At ULMA we have extensive experience in the forging and manufacturing of all kinds of high-quality parts, and we put customer satisfaction first throughout the sales process. Don’t hesitate to take a look at our catalog and take advantage of our wide range of products and services!