Rarer than silver or copper, two other metals mined since antiquity, its value was proportionately larger.
Credit: Sick Chirpseįirst and foremost, what makes a precious metal is its rarity. To display his imperial glory, Napoleon gilded Paris in gold, while even more recently Hitler sought to control all of Europe’s gold as support for his “1000-year Reich.” What myths made gold such a prized commodity and what factual properties still support it as a precious metal to this very day?ĪDVERTISEMENT Gold nuggets. And it’s not just the ancients that held gold in high esteem. In fact, the Egyptians called gold “the breath of God”. Why Gold is importantįrom Copper Age Israeli hills to the Bulgarian Varna Necropolis in the 4th millennium, from the Egyptian pharaohs to the Spanish conquistadors, the allure of gold – its powerful effect on us – has been consistent and unmistakable. Today, we’ll explore the fascinating science behind the origin of gold atoms and see how the prized element got to where it is today, here on Earth. There’s no question about it - for better or for worse, gold has played a unique role for humanity. Revered for its aesthetic and metallurgical properties for thousands of years, gold is still one of the most sought after precious metals.
“Winged Pendant, Gran Coclé.” Image credits: Gilcrease Museum A striking artifact discovered in Panama, dated 700-1000 CE.
0 kommentar(er)
