Gold :: science

lucky metal(prenominal) was discovered around 3000 BC to 1200 BC. Gold probably was found on the ground and used by prehistorical man as a tool. Highly sophisticated coin graphics objects and jewelry discovered by archaeologists in the Royal Tombs at Ur, in what is now Southern Iraq, fancy back to around 3000 BC. Similarly, goldsmiths of the Chavin civilization in Peru were making ornaments by beat and embossing gold by 1200 BC. Where and abundance in nature Since gold is both durable and carefully guarded, most of the gold that has been chartern from the Earth still exists. Much of it has been buried again in underground vaults, where it is held in government monetary reserves. In 1990 the bullion reserves of the free world were estimated to total some 43,000 tons. Of this, the United States held 11 percent. Gold reserves of South Africa were estimated at some 20,000 tons. Despite the prevalence of antihoarding laws, some other 50,000 tons were believed to be privately held. People are willing to take enormous risks and short-term financial losses to hoard gold against the orifice of fiscal inflation . The rest of the worlds accumulated gold was held in authorised stocks by central banks or was industrially employed or lost. forthwith gold may be bought and sold on many markets. The largest is in London, England. Others exist in several nations of continental Europe, in the Middle East, and in Asia. Past and Current use Gold probably was found on the ground and used by prehistoric man as a tool. Highly sophisticated gold art objects and jewelry discovered by archaeologists in the Royal Tombs at Ur, in what is now Southern Iraq, date back to around 3000 BC. Similarly, goldsmiths of the Chavin civilization in Peru were making ornaments by hammering and embossing gold by 1200 BC. Gold is usually alloyed in jewelry to give it more strength, and the term carat describes the amount of gold certify (24 carats is pure gold). It is estimated that all the go ld in the world, so far refined, could be placed in a single cube 60 ft. on a side. It is metallic, with a yellow color when in a mass, save when finely divided it may be black, ruby, or purple. It is the most elastic and ductile metal 1 ounce (28 g) of gold can be beaten out to 300 square feet.