History of Copper

Copper has been an essential material to man since pre-historic times. In fact, one of the major "ages" or stages of human history is named for a copper alloy, bronze. Copper and its many alloys have played an important role in many civilizations, from the ancient Egyptians, Romans to modern day cultures around the world. Here, you will find a number of reference materials detailing the role that copper has played throughout human civilization for thousands of years.

Resources

  • Copper Timeline

    Scroll through the past 11,000 years on this powerful timeline to observe how copper has advanced human civilization – from the Stone Age to the Modern Age… and into the future. Browse important copper developments to explore how they integrated with major inventions and world events. Click on 175 stories and enjoy digging deeper with over 1,000 links to help satisfy your curiosity. Some stories are linked to YouTube® to provide an audiovisual perspective to learning.

  • Civilization and Copper: The Codelco Collection

    This attractively designed book published by the world's largest copper mining company describes and illustrates copper's use and heritage from antiquity to the 21st century, all around the world. Learn how civilizations used copper to make jewelry, ornaments, utensils, weapons, religious objects, money, scientific and musical instruments, machinery and artwork ­– as well as myriad new uses for copper that are innovating our world today.

  • 60 Centuries of Copper

    Intended for the reader who is interested in the general history of copper mining, the development of metal-working processes and the uses of copper through the past six thousand years. Based on Sixty Centuries of Copper by B Webster Smith which was published by the UK Copper Development Association in 1965.

  • The History of Copper in the U.S.

    This section covers the history of copper production and consumption throughout American history to present day.

    Copper nugget on Copper Creek Copper Nugget on Copper Creek
The information provided in this section has been collected from many varied sources and is true and accurate insofar as the Copper Development Association Inc. has been able to determine.