The first metal discovered by man was gold and it was mainly used for decoration purpose.
Iron
copper
Gold.
It was first used in 3000B.C. When early man learned to separate silver from lead.
The archaeological evidence strongly suggests that it was copper. Gold was also used very early. The earliest found artefacts were ornaments -- probably body ornamentation.
Copper is believed to be the first known metal used by humans, dating back to around 9000 BC. Its malleability and ability to conduct heat and electricity made it an important material for early civilizations.
the discovery of metal was an event of great importance. copper is not difficult to smelt. so the early artisans found very useful for making axes, chisels and swords. they also used copper for making rings and other ornaments. secondly, with the help of stronger tools made of metal, man could cut down the crops and trees in a much better way.
there is no historical documentation, but the most likely metals are copper and gold because they are both comparatively easy to find as natural ores, and are both soft enough to use without forging equipment. Both metals were used by many ancient cultures for jewelry and decorative uses; copper was also used for simple tools. Gold / Copper. Because both of these can be found as native metals in rock and therefore could be used before man learned how to smelt and ore.
COPPER
We come to know of the early man based on the fossils that were discovered in areas that early man is believed to have settled first.
Early man found gold in rivers and probably used them as weapons