Copper
was discovered approximately 11,000 years ago. The exact date, location and
discoverer of copper are unknown. Copper beads dating back to 9,000 B.C. have
been found in Iraq. Around 5,000 B.C. people discovered methods for refining
copper.
One of the reasons that copper was so popular
to use in ancient time is that it was easy to shape. Unfortunately that also
meant that it was too soft to use for tools. Then, about 5000 years ago it was
discovered that if copper was mixed with other metals, the alloy produced was
harder than copper alone. The two
most common alloys of copper are bronze and brass. The Romans were the first to
frequently use brass: a metal made from copper mixed with zinc. They made many
objects including coins, kettles and ornamental objects. Today, the most common
use for brass is musical instruments, screws, and other hardware.
The Egyptians
were the first civilization to develop the use of the bronze alloy: copper and
tin. Around 2500 B.C. they had refined their copper making skills so much that
they were creating crowns and headdresses made of the metal. The Egyptians are
known as the culture that set off the Bronze Age.
In
Pre-Columbia America copper was also being used. The natives were so skilled
that their technique rivaled the Europeans. Pre-Columbia Americans were making
bells, ornaments, weapons, beads, earrings, and armor.
Copper was
mentioned in mythology. It was known to represent the Greek god, Venus. Copper
also was thought to protect against evil and attract love. Copper is also used
in mythological rituals. One such Egyptian ritual called for a copper mirror to
be placed under then head of a body when preparing it for burial. Christian
rituals using lights in many important ceremonies, called for bronze or copper
metal candleholders.
The name copper comes from the Latin word cyprium. It was named after the island of Cyprus, the location where the ancient Roman Empire obtained the majority of its copper. Today copper is mainly obtained from ores including cuprite (CuO2), tenorite (CuO), malachite (CuO3·Cu(OH)2), chalcocite (Cu2S), covellite (CuS) and bornite (Cu6FeS4). Today’s copper is mainly mined in the United States, Chile, Zambia, Zaire, Peru and Canada.
Basic Information, History, Uses, Isotopes, Reference