Visual Timeline: Gold

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5000 BCE 4500 BCE 4000 BCE 3500 BCE 3000 BCE 2500 BCE 2000 BCE 1500 BCE 1000 BCE  
 
 
5000 BCE: Electrum (gold and silver alloy) used by the Egyptians in jewellery.
 
 
3000 BCE: Sumer civilization in Mesopotamia use gold in jewellery manufacture.
 
 
2500 BCE: Egyptians invent the technique of filigree in the manufacture of gold objects.
 
 
1800 BCE: Minoans on Crete use gold in jewellery manufacture.
 
 
1550 BCE: Gold death masks (including that of 'Agamemnon') made at Mycenae.
 
 
1200 BCE: Chavin civilization in Peru manufactures gold goods.
 
 
635 BCE - 585 BCE: Reign of Alyattes of Lydia. Minting of first coins made from electrum.
 
 
560 BCE: Croesus of Lydia first manufactures coins of solid gold.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5000 BCE 4500 BCE 4000 BCE 3500 BCE 3000 BCE 2500 BCE 2000 BCE 1500 BCE 1000 BCE