Did You Know When And How Gold Was Discovered?- Here’s The Exciting Fun Fact

History Of Gold Discovery: Gold is one of the oldest and most valuable metals, people have ever used. Not just for kings or fancy necklaces - also for money, even old holy places. Gold has always stood as a symbol of wealth, purity and power, which was used to show power even in ancient times. From royal crowns to jewellery, coins and temples, gold has been a source of pride. 

However, have you ever thought, how and when gold was discovered for the first time? Let us tell you, Gold was not discovered in mines, but it was naturally found near riverbanks and rocks, where shiny yellow nuggets were lying in pure form. This is how people got used to gold way back when they didn’t yet know how metals work. Gold became the first metal used by humans long before iron and bronze. 

In this article, we have explained when gold was discovered, how it was used then and how its uses evolved. 

How Was Gold First Discovered?

History of Gold Discovery (Image: Canva)

According to Wikipedia, Gold was found naturally by ancient humans around 4000 BCE. People spotted shiny gold pieces near riverbanks in Mesopotamia around 4000 BCE. Shortly after, Egypt’s Nubia area also discovered the same by 3100 BCE. They used flowing water methods to collect gold, like depositing soil and chunks and then washing in the stream of water. Later, those pieces were turned into ornaments and religious items. Its rare colour and softness were loved by old civilisations, so people started mining it in spots such as Nubia in Egypt, and that became home to the world's first active gold mines. Since gold exists in pure form, it did not need to be melted or processed initially.

Gradually, civilisations like Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Indus valley people and old Chinese dynasties all started seeing gold as a symbol of wealth. In modern days, it is one of the most expensive metals in the world, but still used on a large scale in the form of jewellery, coins, science, technology and sometimes even in space research.  Its discovery changed human history forever and continues to fascinate the world even today.

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Why was gold easily used in ancient times?

Gold was mostly used in ancient times because it was found naturally in rivers and soil in pure form. Due to its softness, it was easy to bend, shape and polish. And, it does not rust or lose shine over time. 

First Civilisations That Used Gold

History of Gold Discovery (Image: Canva)

Many ancient civilisations left evidence of gold use in art, religion, and trade.

Examples of early gold use:

1. Egyptians used gold for royal tombs and jewellery

2. The Mesopotamians made gold ornaments and coins

3. The Indus Valley Civilisation traded gold beads and jewellery

4. Romans and Greeks used gold in temples, coins and armour

5. Gold became a global trade metal and a symbol of wealth.

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Why Gold Became a Precious Metal?

Gold is valuable even today because:

1. It is rare and difficult to mine

2. It does not rust or tarnish

3. It is easily shaped into coins or ornaments

4. It is used in technology (mobiles, satellites, medicines)

5. Gold’s value has increased with time, making it a prized investment and cultural symbol.