[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":147},["ShallowReactive",2],{"article-earliest-metallurgical-experiments-en":3},{"id":4,"name":5,"keywords":4,"slug":6,"author":7,"status":4,"defaultLang":4,"ogImage":8,"ogType":9,"updateDate":10,"createDate":11,"isDeleted":4,"availableLangs":4,"i18nMeta":12,"relatedBlogs":23},null,"最早的铜矿砂实验","earliest-metallurgical-experiments","卜可","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1770277004934_720_1762739010884_Diyarbakır32.jpg","article","2026-02-05T15:36:51","2025-09-10T23:06:44",{"name":13,"h1Title":14,"title":15,"subtitle":4,"keywords":16,"content":17,"overview":4,"description":18,"ogTitle":19,"ogDescription":20,"preface":4,"note":4,"langCode":21,"updateDate":10,"createDate":11,"priority":22,"author":7},"The earliest copper ore experiment","The earliest copper ore experiments: the origin of human metallurgical technology","The Earliest Copper Ore Experiment | The Origin of Human Metallurgy, the Bronze Age and the Beginning of the Bronze Age","EarliestMetallurgicalExperiments,AgeofDiyarbak,Prehistory","## Metal smelting technology-a clever combination of skill and discovery\n\nAround 7000 BC, hunter-gatherers in \u003Cspan class=\"marker\" enus=\"Anatolia\" lon=\"32\" lat=\"39\" map=\"HB\" zoom=\"4\">Anatolia\u003C/span> began to process copper products, and they were the last people in the region to live in this primitive way of hunting and gathering. The emergence of copper smelting was an important technological breakthrough during this period. Although the initial economic significance was very limited, as a raw material, metal gradually played an increasingly important role. The experience of copper processing has led to a greater understanding of the characteristics of other metals.\n\nAs early as 8000 BC, between the villages of the Near Eastern Neolithic Age, a blue-green stone called malachite was used as an ornament and was widely exchanged and spread. This beautiful stone is also an ore with a high copper content. In addition, in the early villages, people's mastery of fire was a very important skill. Whether it was firing pottery or baking food on a stove, precise control of fire was required. Therefore, the ingenious combination of raw materials and fire control technology has created conditions for the initial metallurgical experiments of mankind.\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"img-container-article\">\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.25.28/1762738806058_azurite.jpg\" alt=\"azurite\" width=\"80%\"/>\n\u003Cspan>\nPhoto credit: Bu ke, taken at the Zhejiang Provincial Museum of Natural History\n\u003C/span>\n\u003Cp class=\"description\">Blue copper ore and malachite, the two usually closely symbiosis; in addition to copper, also used as pigments, some good quality stone can be used as handicrafts.\u003C/p>\n\u003C/div>\n\nHowever, it was not until about 5000 BC that mankind entered the earliest \"* * copper and stone era * *\" (also known as the red copper era and the gold and stone era, with different definitions in different world regions). The truly effective smelting technology was developed, making it possible for people to cast spearheads, axes and other utensils with metal for the first time.**Like many technological inventions throughout the history of civilization, the initial product of this new technology should be weapons, or to create markers and sacrifices for people with important identities**; it was not until the technology was popularized that smelting was applied to The manufacture of life tools allows ordinary people to reap the benefits of productivity development.\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"img-container-article\">\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.25.28/1762738882646_Diyarbakır2.jpg\" alt=\"Diyarbakır\" />\n\u003Cspan>\nPhoto by \u003Ca href=\"https://arkeofili.com/diyarbakirda-gobeklitepe-ile-cagdas-ozel-yapi-bulundu/\" target=\"_blank\">arkeofili.com\u003C/a>\n\u003C/span>\nThe site of \u003Cspan class=\"marker\" enus=\"Diyarbakır\" lon=\"40.2172\" lat=\"37.9136\" map=\"HB\" zoom=\"4\">Diyarbakir\u003C/span> (Diyarbak), which has been excavated in \u003Cp class=\"description\">since 2018, is also known as \u003Cspan class=\"marker\" enus=\"Diyarbakır\" lon=\"40.2172\" lat=\"37.9136\" map=\"HB\" zoom=\"4\">Diyarbakir\u003C/span>'s \"Gobekli\", which is close to the existence of the famous \u003Cspan class=\"marker\" enus=\"Göbekli Tepe\" lon=\"38.9201\" lat=\"37.2205\" map=\"HB\" zoom=\"4\">Gobekli Stone\u003C/span>. Here, the researchers found evidence of suspected early pyrometallurgical activity and the earliest evidence of experimental metal smelting activity. The site was relocated as a whole from its original location due to a nearby hydroelectric project.\u003C/p>\n\u003C/div>\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"img-container-article\">\n\u003Cimg src=\"https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.25.28/1762739010884_Diyarbakır32.jpg\" alt=\"Diyarbakır\" />\n\u003Cspan>\nPhoto by \u003Ca href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352409X25000835\" target=\"_blank\">sciencedirect.com\u003C/a>\n\u003C/span>\nThe copper strip-like objects found at the \u003Cspan class=\"marker\" enus=\"Diyarbakır\" lon=\"40.2172\" lat=\"37.9136\" map=\"HB\" zoom=\"4\">Diyarbakir\u003C/span> site in\u003Cp class=\"description\">, and a vitrified material formed at high temperatures and containing tiny embedded copper droplets. a) Front and back of vitrified material. B) Composite tool, chisel-shaped axe with bone handle, similar to stone axe. c) Chisel axe. d) Cross section of the copper object.\u003C/p>\n\u003C/div>\n\nThe era of copper and stone use marked that mankind began to break away from the complete dependence on stone tools and entered a new era of using metal materials. It was an important breakthrough in the history of metallurgy and technology. Copper smelting needs to master complex processes such as heating, smelting and casting, which often requires specialized craftsmen and technical knowledge, thus promoting the refinement of social division of labor. Precious metals are also often associated with power, wealth, and religious rituals, which were also necessary characteristics before the formation of early states. Later, with the continuous proficiency of copper smelting and processing technology, it was gradually discovered that if tin was added to copper, a harder and more durable alloy, bronze, was created, which eventually led to the full arrival of the Bronze Age (from about 3000 BC).\n\nStay tuned for Big History Online.\n\n## References\n\n\n\n《泰晤士世界历史地图集》；[英]杰弗里·巴勤克拉夫 主编；三联书店 1982-04\n\n\u003Cbr>\n\n\u003Ca href=\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352409X25000835\" target=\"_blank\">Early copper production by the last hunter-gatherers\u003C/a>\n\n\u003Ca href=\"https://www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2025/03/a-discovery-changes-the-origin-of-metallurgy-the-last-hunter-gatherers-of-anatolia-were-already-working-copper-more-than-9000-years-ago/\" target=\"_blank\">A Discovery Changes the Origin of Metallurgy: The Last Hunter-Gatherers of Anatolia Were Already Working Copper More Than 9,000 Years Ago\u003C/a>\n\n\u003Cbr>\n\n---\n","When did the earliest human metallurgical experiments begin? How did malachite, fire and pottery technology lead to copper smelting? This article introduces the technological revolution from copper ore to the Bronze Age.\n","The earliest copper ore experiments: Humans captivated by gemstones and fire ushered in the dawn of the Bronze Age.","Ten thousand years ago, human beings accidentally threw beautiful stones into the fire, which accidentally ignited the history of metallurgy. From then on, they entered the Bronze Age, allowing civilization to leap forward.","en",0.7,[24,31,39,47,55,63,70,77,85,93,101,109,116,123,131,139],{"id":25,"name":26,"keywords":4,"slug":27,"author":7,"ogImage":28,"isBlog":4,"createDate":29,"updateDate":29,"description":30},"a6ba6edf177e46d1a6a29093808c3d50","The emergence of metal products in the Americas","earliest-metal-artifacts-in-peru-appeared","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1770277962517_720_1764053945703_Jiska2002.jpg","2026-03-05T14:18:52","Around 2000 BC, the earliest metal products in the Americas appeared in Peru, mainly gold and copper ornaments, with gold necklaces from Jiskairumoko ruins as key evidence. At the same time, the Maya entered the early pre-classical period.",{"id":32,"name":33,"keywords":4,"slug":34,"author":7,"ogImage":35,"isBlog":4,"createDate":36,"updateDate":37,"description":38},"3430c1759ae64ef28ee275be703e3ff7","Marta-Bret culture","malta-buret-culture","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1770276830881_720_1761535507344_Princess_of_Xiaohe2.jpg","2026-02-27T20:07:01","2026-03-04T22:12:43","What is the Marta-Brett culture? Who were the ancient northern Eurasian people (ANE)? This article explains this 24000-year-old Siberian culture, its genetic contributions, and its relationship with the Little River Princess.",{"id":40,"name":41,"keywords":4,"slug":42,"author":7,"ogImage":43,"isBlog":4,"createDate":44,"updateDate":45,"description":46},"15e0df576bbc43d88d2498755e8f8c87","Late Paleolithic Revolution","upper-paleolithic-revolution","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1770276687125_720_1760335975390_Palm2.jpg","2026-02-25T20:16:43","2026-02-28T16:28:26","About 50000 years ago, our race experienced something very special: just as Athena in Greek mythology injected soul into mankind, mankind suddenly possessed unprecedented figurative artistic creativity. This event, known as the \"Late Paleolithic Revolution\", is a watershed in the history of human evolution.",{"id":48,"name":49,"keywords":4,"slug":50,"author":7,"ogImage":51,"isBlog":4,"createDate":52,"updateDate":53,"description":54},"37fb4d2375284b3a9b4176a9419a9ced","Orina Culture","aurignacian-culture","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1770276727955_720_1760411643106_rhinos-chauvet-cave.jpg","2026-02-27T11:05:34","2026-03-04T22:19:11","What is Aorina culture? Age, distribution, tools, murals and sculptures (Chauvius Caves, Lions, Hochler Fellows Venus).",{"id":56,"name":57,"keywords":4,"slug":58,"author":7,"ogImage":59,"isBlog":4,"createDate":60,"updateDate":61,"description":62},"56d7cb86a53c4401aeeff2c9fd93f6b5","Gravitt Culture","gravettian-culture","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1770276753186_720_1762675867705_Venus_of_Brassempouy.jpg","2026-02-27T13:38:11","2026-03-04T22:21:42","What is Gravitt culture? Age, tools, Venus statues, Songgil tombs, Dorny Vestonietzsche ruins, one article to understand the glorious culture of European prehistory.\n",{"id":64,"name":65,"keywords":4,"slug":66,"author":7,"ogImage":67,"isBlog":4,"createDate":68,"updateDate":68,"description":69},"67bdd9ec9ed94af1a05060ee9b536525","Jōmon culture","jomon-culture","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1779869915894_jomon-culture.jpg","2026-05-27T22:08:32","The Jōmon Culture is the longest-lasting prehistoric culture in the Japanese archipelago, renowned for its cord-marked pottery, flame-patterned ceramics, and enigmatic clay figurines. This article provides a systematic overview of Jōmon culture, covering its chronological framework, social organization, artistic traditions, the origins of the Jōmon people, and their relationship to modern Japanese.",{"id":71,"name":72,"keywords":4,"slug":73,"author":7,"ogImage":74,"isBlog":4,"createDate":75,"updateDate":75,"description":76},"4c5c07a38ee646688b1917110cb09598","Chengtoushan, China’s earliest city","earliest-citie-in-china","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1770277030867_720_000124_1711414904136.jpg","2026-02-28T01:05:28","The ancient city of Chengtou Mountain, about 6300 years ago, is the earliest known city in China and belongs to the Daxi culture. This article describes the archaeological discoveries of its age, city walls, rice farming, houses and tombs.",{"id":78,"name":79,"keywords":4,"slug":80,"author":7,"ogImage":81,"isBlog":4,"createDate":82,"updateDate":83,"description":84},"ab79c75d543241bab8ca314d00c981c0","Jericho, the first walled city in human history.","jericho-first-city-with-wall","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1770276977877_720_1762316667873_Jericho52.jpg","2026-02-28T00:34:28","2026-02-28T00:37:54","Jericho is the world's earliest walled city, more than ten thousand years ago. This paper systematically introduces the archaeological truth of the Talsudan site, the former pottery neolithic culture, the stone tower, the city wall and the biblical story.",{"id":86,"name":87,"keywords":4,"slug":88,"author":7,"ogImage":89,"isBlog":4,"createDate":90,"updateDate":91,"description":92},"634c89277e8b44548fdd77457621def0","Gobekli Tepe","gobekli-tepe","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1770276927213_720_1761552687193_Bobekli_Tepe62.jpg","2026-02-27T21:36:46","2026-03-04T22:22:19","What is Göbekli Tepe? Its dating, structure, carvings, builders, and significance. This article introduces the oldest large-scale religious site, predating the pyramids and overturning our understanding of human prehistory.",{"id":94,"name":95,"keywords":4,"slug":96,"author":7,"ogImage":97,"isBlog":4,"createDate":98,"updateDate":99,"description":100},"4f7f68664ec94053856b5cb629a4be94","Domestication of dogs","domestication-of-dogs","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1770276806239_720_1761533583097_Domestication_of_the_dog52.jpg","2026-02-27T19:32:55","2026-03-04T22:16:03","Dog is the first animal domesticated by human beings. What kind of process did it go through from gray wolf to domestic dog? When and where did it originate? This paper systematically explains the domestication history, archaeological evidence and genetic truth of dog.",{"id":102,"name":103,"keywords":4,"slug":104,"author":7,"ogImage":105,"isBlog":4,"createDate":106,"updateDate":107,"description":108},"f04ff6cc20b3488dacfcbe9207617d3a","The earliest modern humans outside Africa","earliest-modern-humans-outside-africa","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1770276488308_720_1760335068948_Misliya.jpg","2026-02-26T23:51:57","2026-03-04T22:28:04","Where are the earliest modern fossils outside Africa and how many years ago? This article introduces key sites such as Kafze and Misria, and combs the real timeline of modern people coming out of Africa.\n",{"id":110,"name":111,"keywords":4,"slug":112,"author":7,"ogImage":113,"isBlog":4,"createDate":114,"updateDate":114,"description":115},"f7684aff24744766b9849f56b04617f2","Longshan Culture","longshan-culture","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1780474978266_longshan-culture8.jpg","2026-06-05T15:10:49","The Longshan Culture is one of the most important archaeological cultures of the Late Neolithic period in China, dating from approximately 4,500 to 4,000 years ago. This article systematically examines the origins and geographical distribution of the Longshan Culture, its black‑ware pottery techniques, social stratification, the emergence of proto‑writing, prehistoric urban sites, and its relationship with the Erlitou Culture of the Xia Dynasty, thereby illuminating a crucial phase in the formation of Chinese civilization.",{"id":117,"name":118,"keywords":4,"slug":119,"author":7,"ogImage":120,"isBlog":4,"createDate":121,"updateDate":121,"description":122},"a5e600c3d725475595abfd581b704176","Hongshan Culture","hongshan-culture","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1780389885606_hongshan-culture62.jpg","2026-06-02T20:46:01","Hongshan Culture is one of the most important late Neolithic archaeological cultures in northern China, renowned for the Niuheliang site, the Goddess Temple, the cairn tombs, and its exquisite jade artifacts. This article provides a systematic overview of the Hongshan Culture, covering its chronological framework, geographical distribution, agricultural practices, jade-crafting traditions, and its pivotal significance for research on the origins of Chinese civilization.",{"id":124,"name":125,"keywords":4,"slug":126,"author":7,"ogImage":127,"isBlog":4,"createDate":128,"updateDate":129,"description":130},"47281d4cfe6e440e97e2ca10729e61f6","Homo erectus","homo-eractus","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1770175824343_000124_1709605257579.jpg","2023-11-23T15:48:07","2026-03-12T10:23:51","Homo erectus, which existed about 1.8 million to 200000 years ago, is a critical and successful species in the history of human evolution. Their body proportions are close to those of modern people. They can systematically use fire and make complex tools. They not only created the Acheri culture, but also made human beings walk out of Africa for the first time, which can be called a milestone in the evolution of the human genus.",{"id":132,"name":133,"keywords":4,"slug":134,"author":7,"ogImage":135,"isBlog":4,"createDate":136,"updateDate":137,"description":138},"d90a829e9d7e4138af470f7451aa5107","Tutankhamun","tutankhamen","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1770278680370_720_000176_1762998682805_000176_1710122449266.jpg","2026-03-04T12:42:48","2026-03-04T16:54:16","Tutankhamun is the most famous pharaoh in ancient Egypt. It is not because of his achievements, but because of his unstolen KV62 tomb and gold mask that shocked the world and solved many mysteries of the 18th dynasty of ancient Egypt.",{"id":140,"name":141,"keywords":4,"slug":142,"author":7,"ogImage":143,"isBlog":4,"createDate":144,"updateDate":145,"description":146},"8f6adef1f3eb4d62ad48ffd2897d9ba0","Y chromosome Adam","y-chromosomal-adam","https://image.big-history.online/tree_24.40/1770276518548_720_1763566058169_y-chromosomal-adam.jpg","2026-02-27T00:04:54","2026-03-04T22:24:49","What is Y chromosome Adam? This article explains the paternal inheritance of Y chromosome, molecular clock age, African origin of 120000 year, and the difference between it and mitochondrial Eve.",1780647326313]