How did people extract metals thousands of years ago?

Answer 1

The age of metals began at the end of the stone age, and at that probably by accident, like most of the first discoveries. An attempt to use curious looking rocks for fuel would probably yield the first pure copper. That was certainly followed by experiments with any types of rock to see if metal would come out of them too, Eventually, the tools and practices became more routine, and a trade in soft metals ensued. Thus, they extracted metals the same way we do--by super heating ore. B.

Answer 2

Good answers so far. A source of iron not mentioned yet is from meteorites. Concentrated heat is of course necessary, Charcoal burns hotter than wood, Coal burns hotter yet. Force air into the fire with say a bellows and the fire burns hotter. Control of fire was the key to smelting of all metals. Containing the heat in ovens made of mud or brick was also necessary. These people didn't discover metals alone. They discovered technology. Much of the science we depend on to this day is directly connected to the first use of fire. Something to think about when U flick yout Bic.

Answer 3

They melted deposits of soft metals like copper and gold first. Later they mixed tin with copper and came up with bronze. Iron didn't come till much later, because it requires much higher heat.

Answer 4

depends on what metal, bog iron , waded ina bog poked through the bog until you came to a lump of iron, copper you look for green in the rocks break the rocks and heat it , same with gold

Answer 5

metals were actually on the surface already and accidentally discovered and sometimes fires make them more visible

Answer 6

They used heat.

Answer 7

I know I know!!!

They used ancient smelters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smelter

Answer 8

with an ax

Answer 9

No idea