Gold in Antiquity

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Definition

Gold, chemical symbol Au (from the Latin aurum meaning 'shining dawn'), is a precious metal which has been used since antiquity in the production of jewellery, coinage, sculpture, vessels and as a decoration for buildings, monuments and statues.

More about: Gold in Antiquity

Timeline

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