The metal which was first used by humans is copper. They discovered copper when they would used to burn the trees and the soil.

The First Metal Used by Man

The first metal used by humans was copper. It played a significant role in the development of early civilizations and marked the beginning of the Bronze Age. Copper is a malleable and ductile metal with excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, which made it an ideal material for early tool making, weapon production, and decorative purposes. Let's delve into the details of how copper was discovered and utilized by early humans.

Discovery and Early Use

Copper was one of the first metals discovered by humans due to its occurrence in a relatively pure form in nature. Ancient communities noticed shiny copper nuggets while mining for other minerals and began using this versatile metal around 6000 BCE.

Key Properties and Advantages
- Malleability: Copper can be easily hammered into different shapes without breaking, which allowed early humans to craft various tools, ornaments, and utensils.
- Ductility: Copper can be drawn into thin wires, enabling the creation of early electrical conductors and other intricate objects.
- Conductivity: Copper has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, making it essential for early electrical systems, heating elements, and cooking utensils.
- Corrosion Resistance: Copper is relatively resistant to corrosion, ensuring the longevity of copper-based artifacts and structures.

Applications and Significance
- Tool Making: Copper was fashioned into various tools, including knives, axes, and chisels, which greatly improved early humans' ability to shape and manipulate their environment.
- Weapon Production: Copper weapons such as daggers and spearheads provided a significant advantage in hunting and warfare, marking a crucial step in human technological advancement.
- Ornamental Use: Copper's inherent beauty and ease of working made it a popular material for jewelry, decorative items, and ceremonial objects, symbolizing wealth and status within ancient societies.
- Transition to Bronze Age: The discovery that mixing copper with tin creates a harder and more durable alloy called bronze marked the transition from the Copper Age to the Bronze Age, revolutionizing tool making, weapon production, and trade.

Overall, copper played a pivotal role in the early development of human civilization, enabling the advancement of technology, trade, and cultural exchange. Its discovery and utilization set the stage for further metalworking innovations that would shape the course of human history.