How was metal discovered?

Answer 1

My best guess would be the bronze age, which was after the stone age, starting in 3000 BC

Humans learned to work soft metals like copper, tin, lead, silver, and gold in ancient times. Later came the alloys brass (copper and zinc) and bronze (copper and tin). The Iron Age replaced the Bronze Age, and when combined with carbon, iron became steel which is used today.

This is an excellent answer but copper was probably the first metal used as it didn't need to be mixed with another metal (Like tin, to make bronze.) and can be found on the surface. It has a relatively low melting point and was probably discovered by accident when the ore was subjected to heat in a fire. The Egyptians used copper chisels for carving stone but I really don't know how long ago that was.

Answer 2

Metal was know to ancient man in a time before writing. It was doubtless discovered by accident, and the knowledge of its refining and processing to yield a useful or usable product took thousands of years. At least in the case of the "old" metals, anyway. Gold was probably picked up early on, as it exists uncombined in nature. The metals silver and copper as well. Iron processing began thousands of years ago, too. It is thought to have come out of Asia, but may have had a parallel path in its discovery and early use. In the case of some Eskimo peoples, they used pieces of an iron meteorite to make arrow and spear tips. Teasing out the origins of the use of metals is a challenge for the anthropoligist or other investigator.

Answer 3

The first metal to be used by man was gold and was used for decorative purposes.

Answer 4

Copper is the oldest metal known to man.

Answer 5

aluminium