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8700 BCE
Copper
Extracted from ancient kilns, in which ore was added and air was blown in. The first tools and weapons were made from copper, as well as many ornaments. -
6000 BCE
Gold
Found naturally, being inert. Fashioned into jewellery, and valued for its rarity / human fascination. -
Period: 6000 BCE to 3000 BCE
Stone Age
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4000 BCE
Silver
Used as a basis for monetary system, currency. An example is the currencies of the Roman and Chinese empires. -
3500 BCE
Lead
Lead minerals extracted in a stone furnace, through smelting. Used for water pipes, roofing, gutters and tanks. -
Period: 3000 BCE to 1000 BCE
Bronze Age
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1500 BCE
Iron
Extracted through smelting. Started the Iron Age, in which it was prominently used for tools, weapons and construction. -
Period: 1000 BCE to 1 CE
Iron Age
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750 BCE
Mercury
Extracted via heating, reduction from Mercury sulphide or oxide. Used in thermometers and fillings, batteries. Phasing out due to efficiency and safety concerns. -
Period: 1 CE to
Modern Age
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Nickel
Second most abundant metal in the Earth, used in the production of corrosion - resistant alloys. -
Uranium
Extracted via mining, grinding, then chemically leaching the ore. Used almost exclusively in the production of nuclear fuels / weapons. -
Titanium
Extracted via displacement with magnesium or sodium. Biocompatible, used in surgical implants and joint replacements. Also in many everyday products -
Chromium
Mainly used as an additional alloy in steels for its corrosion - resistant properties. Essential for stainless steel production. -
Aluminium
Extracted via ore refining (Bayer process), then electrolytic purification. Most common metal in the Earth's crust. Many uses due to its lightness. -
Francium
Extremely rare, last naturally occurring element. No practical use has yet been developed for this metal.