Ancient Mining Tools and Techniques
Updated on December 18, 2023 * John has prospected for gold in Arizona 13 years. His experience taught him to deal with the terrain, heat, and gold fever. He makes tools. Electrum coin from Ephesus, 620-600 BC, known as Phanes' coin. Obverse: Stag grazing Gold, Silver, Copper: Charming Jewelry Evidence has it that gold has been mined since about 3000 BC. The oldest objects of gold were discovered in the Sumerian capital of Ur, which is in the southeastern part of present-day Iraq. There, a royal tomb was excavated, revealing gold chains for jewelry. From 2500 BCE on, gold was produced for jewelry and found in Egyptian tombs. Objects have been discovered, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, diadems, pendants, pins, and brooches. The ancients mined it for their rulers for...