When Did Metallurgy Begin?

The process appears to have been invented by the Hittites in about 1200 BC, beginning the Iron Age. The secret of extracting and working iron was a key factor in the success of the Philistines. Historical developments in ferrous metallurgy can be found in a wide variety of past cultures and civilizations.

How did metallurgy start?

The progress of metallurgy started with the use of native copper and iron from meteorites as the metals were obtainable without smelting the metals from ores. It was soon discovered that copper could be shaped by hammering a fairly easy discovery simply involving hitting the copper with a hard object.

What period is the beginning of Mining and metallurgy?

Although archaeological research suggests that mining/metallurgy already started in the Chalcolithic (3rd millennium BC), the earliest atmospheric metal pollution in SW Europe has thus far been dated to ~ 3500–3200 cal. yr.