History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c13.s2.t3.31

v1.c13.s2.t3.31

The discovery of this metal marks the beginning of the Chalcolithic period and the Copper Age when man started using metal instead of stone and clay to fabricate his hunting tools, domestic utensils and many other things like ornaments, decorative pieces, mirror etc. The properties of this ductile reddish coloured metal having a melting point of 1083°C were further improved in the latter period by alloying with Pb, As, Sn and Zn, and some of these produced yellow coloured alloy similar to that of Gold. Copper sulphate mineral was given the name ‘Fools Gold’ owing to its shining yellow colour.