The Geologic and Economic Aspects of Copper

Abstract

Many divergent opinions have been expressed concerning the possible priority of the use of copper or iron in the early history of mankind. Too often have archaeologists based their. conclusion solely upon the relative abundance of these meta;ts, which have since been found in ancient ruins, especially in graves and tombs. It is true that among such remains copper has usually proven to be the more predominant metal. This need not, however, be too readily regarded as an indication of its earlier use by mankind, as some writers have been prone to conclude. The higher corrodibility of iron as compared with copper, and particularly with its alloys, would tend to destroy evidences of that metal within a relatively short time. Furthermore, it must be remembered that it was the custom of early peoples to place in the graves of their kindred, articles of intrinsic value, and this practice could tend to account for the absence of iron in such ruins. Excavations of the Lake Dwellings of Switzerland have revealed intermingled remnants of both stone and bronze implements. It has been found however, that the latter are of such perfection as to be attributable only to a later civilization, and thus they were probably introduced at a subsequent date. Moreover, from the standpoint of economic geology and metallurgy it would seem that the use of either iron or copper would depend largely upon the nature and accessibility of the particular deposits, as well as upon the cultural background of the people. Ordinarily, iron can be more readily reduced and worked than copper, while the reduction of bronze requires considerably more skill, and tin, an essential constituent of the alloy, has never been an abundant metal.