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The process of metallurgy is quite simple. First the ore (the valuable metals found within a rock face) is extracted from the rock face using varying methods of mining. After this, the ore is beaten, crushed and grinded to remove any non-metallic material. Then the ore is placed in a container and stuck in a hot furnace where it is exposed to extreme heat, causing the ore to melt. Once the ore melts, it is then used to form coins, tools, weapons and all other sorts of objects. 1
Gold
It is clear that some of the aspects of metallurgy were present even in early
biblical times. From Exodus when know that the Israelites melted down their
golden objects and created the golden calf as an idol. There are many other
references to gold scattered in the bible, such as the gold used to build the
ark of the covenant. However, this gold seems to have been only used for decoration,
idols or other "works of art", and never used for tools, weapons and other such
things. 2 There are two reasons
behind why this is probably the case. For one, gold was still valuable and rare,
no one would think of using a golden pitchfork. Also gold is a very soft metal,
and thus cannot be used for hard tasks as it will bend and break easily. The
reason gold was common before any other metals is also rather simply, things
like silver, copper and iron are all found in veins, while gold is more common
in lump form. Thus gold was much easier to extract without proper tools. All
of these are the main reasons why gold was used commonly before copper or iron-yet
wasn't ever a vital part of its time periods way of life.
Copper
The first metal which was largely used in trade, exploration, welfare and other
aspects of life was copper. The reddish-brown metal that is found in a penny
was more common in the Middle Eastern area than gold while it melted as the
same temperature. However it was harder to extract from a rock face, and people
probably did not see how useful it was right away. Copper is also sturdier than
gold and thus had more uses. The identified first use of copper was around 4000
BC. It started appearing more regularly as trade expanded. Many areas had the
copper ore but could not melt it down because they did not have enough energy
to build a fire hot enough to melt the copper. Other places had this energy,
but had no ore. Most of these flues came from Summer, and it was the metal trade
that helped the Sumerians become and early power. 3
Because of copper's hardness, it made good saws and axes. These saws made cutting
down trees easier, as well as cutting through rock and finding more metals.
4 With wood being easier to
cut down, this would naturally spur navel industries, which in turn would increase
trade. Increased trade would then help produce supplies needed to get more copper.
Also, copper coins also were used as an early form of currency. However, it
was still rare to see copper used to create weapons, and during this time common
stone was still the preferred tool of war. This is probably because copper was
still rare, as well as the fact that not as much warfare happened during the
copper age as later on. Still, copper was important enough in society that the
time period from 4000-2000 BC is commonly called the "Copper age". Today, copper
is still used in many coins. Its more common use is in electronically wiring
because it is cheep and is an extent conductor. Some computer chips and circuits
are created uses copper, and so with the Computer and electronics savvy society
we live in today, copper has emerged as one of the most important metals of
the 21st century. 5
Bronze
Around 2000 BC people discovered that adding tin to copper during the melting
process produced a material called "bronze". Bronze was better than copper in
almost every way, it was easier to work with; sturdier; and, as tin was cheaper
than copper, more affordable. Over the next 1600 years bronze surpassed and
replaced copper as the important metal to society and started the so called
"bronze age". Because bronze was better than copper, it could be used for many
different things. It was sturdy enough and affordable enough to make every day
tools. Because it was so easy to work with, it could be shaped into arrow heads
and sets of armor, as well as axes and sword blades. 6
Bronze, like copper before it, became a popular trade item. This benefited every
aspect of the economy. Bronze was also a much nicer looking metal than copper,
on top of being easier to shape and mold, and thus became a popular decorator.
In fact, bronze is the third place metal given to athletes in the Olympic Games,
as well as in many other competitive events.
Iron
It was around 750 BC that technology finally caught up with potential. Iron
was a recourse that was more common that bronze, sturdier, and better to work
with-much like the improving bronze was over copper. However, for a while furnaces
had not been hot enough to melt the iron ore into workable material. 7
Finally furnace methods were able to genet rate hot enough flame to at least
partially melt the iron ore into a workable material. Iron basically replaced
Bronze in every aspect expect for art, where bronze was still proffered being
gold and silver. Like copper and bronze before it, the time period from around
750 BC-50 AD is called the "Iron age". Also like the ages before it, iron brought
increased trade, with made increased wealth which then intern helped every part
of life. Today, iron is still widely used as it is mixed with carbon to form
what is probably the world's most important building supply, steel. Along with
plastics, steel today is the material used for tools, weapons and contraction.
Conclusion
As we can see from the past 6000 years, the key metal of society has had allot
to say in how that society fared during that time. The first thousands of years
had little technology advancements and known as the "stone age". With the discovery
of copper, things improved and nations grew larger and stronger. Bronze and
iron added more to this on growing tower. Later on, steel and then plastics
helped even more to benefit society. As for what metals and materials will become
the key part in our life to come, no one knows. Perhaps man will find an even
better metal scattered on Mars or a moon of Jupiter, or maybe scientists will
discover a stronger form of plastics, but whatever it is one this is for sure,
it will have a dramatic and important impact of the life of all man-kind.
Quick Quiz:
1. Which of the following is NOT commonly referred as a metallurgical age?
HINT:
Gold age
Copper age
Bronze Age
Iron Age
2. Bronze is a mixture of what two metals?
HINT:
Iron and carbon
Copper and Iron
Copper and tin
Gold and Silver
3. True or False: No metals other than stone were used before the copper age.
HINT:
True
False
4. Which of the following is the main reason the Iron age came after the Bronze
age.
HINT:
People didn't know iron was better than bronze.
People didn't have any iron to work with.
People though bronze looked cool and didn't want to walk away from it.
People couldn't build furnaces hot enough to melt down iron.
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