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{{Mediawiki__NOTOC__[[File:banner1}}Sofia - Symbolical Burial from the Varna Necropolis.jpg|thumbnail|400px|left|Figure 1. Example of one of the Varna Necropolis graves.]]
One of What the oldest known uses of finds at Nahal Qanah and Varna Necropolis show is that early from gold appears to be 's history it had already become an object that differentiated wealth and status in Bulgariasocieties. In fact, from a site we can say that is called Varna Necropolis or Varna Cemetery, which dates gold seems to around 4600 BC.<ref>For detailed information about the Varna Necropolisbe associated with hierarchy, see: Ivanov, Ivan Simeonovdifferent levels of power, and Mai︠a︡ Avramova, eds. 2000. Varna Necropolis: The Dawn different access to wealth at its inception of European Civilizationuse. Treasures Clearly, this relates to the traits of Bulgaria 1. Sofia: Agatʹo Publ.</ref> The site its beauty and rarity, although it is a burial ground were a number of gold artifacts were found to be in clear burial contexts with human skeletons. Surprisingly, out one of the more than 200 graves found, many only types of them contained gold and other metal finds (primarily copper). One individual seemed elements we have known that seems to have far more gold buried with him, with objects including these cultural attributes true for a gold mace, jewelry, and even a penis sheath made large number of gold (Figure 1)societies.
In the southern LevantNevertheless, a cave there are key differences with how gold was treated in the area of Nahal Qanah contained eight artifacts from a burial context that suggests a type of elite burial ground could have been established by the 4th millennium BCearly societies. In factthe ancient Near East, the find suggests gold could have already become was often found as jewelry with women, suggesting women often wore gold as representing family wealth or were often the privy of ones who literally wore the most elite in societyfamily's wealth.<ref>For more further information about on women in the Nahal Qanah caveancient Near East society and wealth, see: GopherChavalas, Avi, Tseviḳah TsuḳMark W., and Ied. Carmi2012. 1996. The Naḥal Qanah Cave: Earliest Gold ''Women in the Southern LevantAncient Near East: A Sourcebook. Monograph Series / Tel Aviv University, Sonia and Marco Nadler Institute of Archaeology, no. 12Routledge Sourcebooks for the Ancient World''. Tel AvivLondon: Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv University Publications SectionRoutledge.</ref>
In Egypt One can consider gold and Mesopotamia, the two main regions where early urban cultures developed, gold was women's jewelry as a repository of family wealth. This could also used by the 5th millennium BC. In Egypt, mining was likely already taking place in areas where be one reason why we find female burials often having large quantities of gold deposits were found, probably in areas of southern Egypt or even Nubia. <ref>For more information about gold mining and as not only did they literally carry the gold in Egypt, see: Klemm, Rosemarie, and Dietrich Klemm. 2013. Gold and Gold Mining in Ancient Egypt and Nubia: Geoarchaeology of but the Ancient Gold Mining Sites in family wealth is best shown off utilizing the Egyptian and Sudanese Eastern Desertsfemale members. 2012. New York: Springer.</ref> In MesopotamiaFor example, the first gold appears in burial of the 5th millennium BC during Queen or Priestess of Puabi from the Ubaid period. We begin to get references to gold in texts by the 3rd millennium BC, showing it becoming an important object for imports. However, in many cases, where gold has been discovered, it was found as an alloy with silver ancient city of Ur is one example of this (i.e., electrumFigure 4). At times, gold was also alloyed with lead, indicating that pure gold was generally more rare.<ref>For more information about gold in Mesopotamia, see: Leick, Gwendolyn. 2010. Historical Dictionary of Mesopotamia. 2nd ed. Historical Dictionaries of Ancient Civilizations and Historical Eras, no. 26. Lanham: Scarecrow Press, pg. 79.</ref>
[[File:Peru Zeremonialmesser Sican EthnM.jpg|thumbnail|Figure 2. A ceremonial knife from PeruHowever, this was a relatively exceptional period, as in most other Bronze Age periods, dated to 850-1500 ADsilver was considered the more common standard, showing that given its greater prevalence. <ref>For a history of gold developed independently and its role in the ancient societies, see: Bernstein, Peter L. 2004. The Power of Gold: The History of an Obsession. Illustrated ed. New WorldYork: Wiley. ]]</ref>
In the cases where gold was found at relatively early dates, several characteristics are evident. For oneWhile this largely reflects gold’s role as an object utilized for trade and exchange, gold is often found in funerary contexts, suggesting it now also shows royal authority was both a status symbol in life but also something beginning to be taken to the next life. Perhaps this reflects the next life or afterlife similarly is characterized by social stratification. In fact, stamp gold with iconography as social hierarchy developed in ancient societies, which seems a way to be true both in the New and Old Worlds, gold was often one object that differentiated individuals in many societiesshow government-level backing. This is evident in finds derives from Peru, Bulgaria, Egypt, southern Levant, and Mesopotamia. In the ancient Near East, gold was often found as jewelry with women, suggesting women often wore gold as representing family wealth or were often the ones who literally wore the family's wealth. <ref> For further information on women in ancient Near East society and wealth, see: Chavalas, Mark W., ed. 2012. Women royalty concept we had seen in the Ancient Near East: A Sourcebook. Routledge Sourcebooks for the Ancient World. London: Routledge. </ref> It is also by the 3rd third millennium BC that we begin to see gold having more of a trade value, although very likely this occurred earlier. We see evidence of gold being shipped in from distant regions, such as India graves and other royal or Anatolia, in places such as Mesopotamiahigh elite status. In the 2nd millennium BCeffect, when the trade in coinage and gold became more substantial in the eastern Mediterranean region, it is during this active time of trade that gold becomes also a standard used to measure value of other commodities. Between 1600-1200 BC, the Late Bronze Age saw gold becoming become established as the basis privy of value for many valuable objects now being traded between Central Asia and the Mediterranean, including metals such as tin and copper. state <ref> For more information on the Late Bronze Age history and presentation of types of ancient gold standardcoins, see: EdwardsFriedberg, Arthur L., Iorwerth Eiddon StephenIra S. Friedberg, edand Robert Friedberg. 2003. History ''Gold Coins of the Middle East and World: From Ancient Times to the Aegean Region C. 1380 - 1000 B.C. 3Present: An Illustrated Standard Catalogue with Valuations''. 7th ed.Clifton, 6. printing. The Cambridge Ancient History, Vol. 2, Pt. 2N. CambridgeJ: Cambridge Univ. Press.</ref> However, this was a relatively exceptional period, as in most other Bronze Age periods silver was considered the more common standard, given its greater prevalence. <ref>For a history of gold Coin and its role in ancient societies, see: Bernstein, Peter L. 2004. The Power of Gold: The History of an Obsession. Illustrated ed. New York: WileyCurrency Institute. </ref>
During the 1st millennium BCEventually, by around the 6th century BC in the Near East and eastern Mediterranean Hellenistic states, we begin to see as gold coins now utilized with gold. In fact, it is one of the first metals continue to be fashioned into coins, suggesting coinage and gold were used for high value exchange. While this largely reflects gold’s role as an object utilized for trade and exchange, it now also shows royal authority was beginning to stamp gold with iconography as a way to show government-level backing.<ref>For a history and presentation of types of ancient how much gold in coins, see Friedberg, Arthur L., Ira S. Friedberg, and Robert Friedberg. 2003. Gold Coins of the World: From Ancient Times to the Present: An Illustrated Standard Catalogue with Valuations. 7th ed. Clifton, N.J: Coin and Currency Institute.</ref> This helps establish the concept of currency and become standardized value more substantially. The concept accelerates in the late 1st millennium BC across the Mediterranean world, where gold became associated with is always the top-level currency and utilized for high value exchangescan only be minted by the governments controlling a given region. This concept of gold currency continues into the Medieval world, in particular for Europe after the reemergence of states.<ref>For example of gold and how it was retained into used for currency in the modern eraMedieval World, see: Allen, Martin. 2012. Mints and Money in Medieval England. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.</ref>
==Conclusion==Arguably, one of the chief motivations for the Spanish conquests in the New World was gold. Much of that became refashioned into the gold-level currency used by Spain's governing bodies and banks after their conquest. This helped launch Spain and other European powers eventually into a global race for power, but one can argue a race to accrue as much gold as possible, as it symbolized Europe's new power.
Gold seems to be one of these objects The example shows that has independent origins in many societies in the New and Old worlds (the Americasgold had, Asiavery early, and Africa). This suggests the qualities of gold as being attractive to human societies seems almost universal or innate. Gold utilization in societies evolves over time established itself as a basis for economiesmetal distinct from all other metals. By the time currency or coins are used, gold becomes It quickly became a high level standard prestige good that royal authority supports and uses changed media, such as a basis in economic exchange by placing coinage, but the image prestige continued irrespective of the king on currency. This helps to standardize its value media and this concept continues into the modern era, while gold’s value and importance to society has only increased since ancient periods.
[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Ancient History]][[Category:Economic History]]{{Contributors}}By the time currency or coins are used, gold becomes a high level standard that royal authority can only support and uses as a basis in economic exchange by placing the image of the king on currency. This begins to make gold as something to be controlled by state societies and their primary privy rather than that of common individuals. With the control of gold by governments, this begins to help standardize its value, and this concept continues into the modern era. In contrast, gold’s value and importance to society have only increased since ancient periods.
Admin moved page How Did Gold Become Desired by Ancient Civilizations? to How Did Gold Become Desired by Ancient Civilizations
Gold is first known to have been acquired by ancient human societies in the 4th millennium BC, a time when copper and metals were beginning to be utilized more frequently. The use of gold expanded during this period because pyrotechnologies improved. As pyrotechnologies improved metals such as gold and copper became more flexible. In fact, when gold appears in the New World, it also appears to be associated with the early development of pyrotechnologies, suggesting gold develops early as metallurgy developed. This likely also means gold, and its luster properties, were desired early on by societies able to master pyrotechnologies to extract and create gold artifacts.
====Early Use of Gold====[[File:Or de Varna - Nécropole.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|Figure 2. A burial of a high status individual at Varna Necropolis; this individual stands out from among the graves and seems to have a substantial amount of gold compared to other graves.]]One of the oldest known uses of gold appears to be in Bulgaria, from a site that is called Varna Necropolis or Varna Cemetery, which dates to around 4600 BC.<ref>For detailed information about the Varna Necropolis, see: Ivanov, Ivan Simeonov, and Mai︠a︡ Avramova, eds. 2000. ''Varna Necropolis: The Dawn of European Civilization''. Treasures of Bulgaria 1. Sofia: Agatʹo Publ.</ref> The site is a burial ground were a number of gold artifacts were found to be in burial contexts associated with a variety of individuals. Surprisingly, out of the more than 200 graves found, many of them contained gold and other metal finds (primarily copper; Figure 1). This indicates a society that had already developed a strong affinity toward gold, and it became a status object for many members of society. However, we also begin to see that not all individuals were treated equally. One individual seemed to have far more gold buried with him, with objects including a gold mace, jewelry, and even a penis sheath made of gold (Figure 2). This could indicate that this society had begun to develop a type of chiefdom society, where one individual did accumulate more power than others and consequently have more gold than the other graves. In the southern Levant, a cave in Nahal Qanah contained eight artifacts from a burial context that suggests a type of elite burial ground could have been established by the 4th millennium BC. These gold objects were in the form of gold rings. In fact, the find suggests gold could have already become the privy of the most elite in society. <ref>For more information about the Nahal Qanah cave, see: Gopher, Avi, Tseviḳah Tsuḳ, and I. Carmi. 1996. ''The Naḥal Qanah Cave: Earliest Gold in the Southern Levant''. Monograph Series / Tel Aviv University, Sonia and Marco Nadler ''Institute of Archaeology'', no. 12. Tel Aviv: Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv University Publications Section.</ref>
Perhaps, though, there are differences in its view, as seen by these early societies. For instance, the finds in the south Levant showed that gold was even more restricted, suggesting the most elite members of society may have only accessed it. In both Bulgaria and the south Levant cases, gold was found in the form of body jewelry; in the majority of early finds of gold known, in fact, gold was often associated as body adornment, whether for the living or the dead. <ref>For more information on the analysis of the Nahal Qanah finds, see: Shalev, Sariel. 1995. “Metals in Ancient Israel: Archaeological Interpretation of Chemical Analysis.” ''Israel Journal of Chemistry 35'' (2): 109–16.</ref> This suggests gold, at the very least, was an element intended for display, whether to the living or the dead, and can be considered a type of showing off perhaps, to impress others, the gods, or even spirits. In Egypt and Mesopotamia, the two main regions where early urban cultures developed, gold was used by the 5th millennium BC. In Egypt, significant mining was likely already taking place in areas where gold deposits were commonly found, mainly in southern Egypt and Nubia. <ref>For more information about gold mining and gold in Egypt, see: Klemm, Rosemarie, and Dietrich Klemm. 2013. ''Gold and Gold Mining in Ancient Egypt and Nubia: Geoarchaeology of the Ancient Gold Mining Sites in the Egyptian and Sudanese Eastern Deserts''. New York: Springer.</ref> In Mesopotamia, the first gold appears in the 5th millennium BC during the Ubaid period. We begin to get references to gold in texts by the 3rd millennium BC, showing it becoming an important object for imports. What early texts also show is that states had a large control of the gold trade, although it was not exclusive to states. Nevertheless, gold became mostly associated with priests/temples and royalty. Private households also traded gold and often attempted to acquire it as an important long-term holding, but rarely was gold buried by private houses with graves (i.e., it was probably far too valuable for common households to remove this item from their wealth). <ref>For examples of how households possibly used golds in ancient Mesopotamia, see: Nemet-Nejat, Karen Rhea. 1998. ''Daily Life in Ancient Mesopotamia''. The Greenwood Press “Daily Life through History” Series. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, pg. 123.</ref> Gold, for private households, becomes a way for families to preserve and pass on wealth, given its great value and non-perishable nature.[[File:Or de Varna - NécropolePeru Zeremonialmesser Sican EthnM.jpg|thumbnail|right200px|left|Figure 13. A ceremonial knife from Peru, dated to 850-1500 AD, showing that gold developed independently in the New World. ]] In many cases, where gold has been discovered, it was found as an alloy with silver (i.e., electrum). At times, gold was also alloyed with lead, indicating that pure gold was generally rarer.<ref>For more information about gold in Mesopotamia, see: Leick, Gwendolyn. 2010. Historical Dictionary of Mesopotamia. 2nd ed. Historical Dictionaries of Ancient Civilizations and Historical Eras, no. 26. Lanham: Scarecrow Press, pg. 79.</ref> In fact, in addition to providing extra strength, alloys also allow the one to utilize more of gold find to create larger objects that look like gold. This gives an appearance of an even larger gold object. By the early 3rd millennium BC, gold becomes symbolic with royal authority in Egypt. One has to remember the earliest Great Pyramid, and other pyramids, were adorned with gold graves found, in particular, the top part of the pyramid was likely made of gold so that it could shine at a great distance. In part, for Egypt, the site shine of Varna Necropolisgold resembled the sun's shining characteristics, where representing the chief god Ra for Egyptians.<ref>For more description on the high status individual is buried qualities of gold and its association with Ra, see: Perl, Leila, and Erika Wells. 1988. ''Mummies, Tombs and Treasure : Secrets of Ancient Egypt''. London : Hodder and Stoughton. </ref> To obtain more gold for both domestic consumption and trade, expeditions became organized by the royal authorities for mines containing gold. <ref>For more information about gold expeditions, see: Der Manuelian, Peter, and Thomas Schneider, eds. 2015. ''Towards a substantial amount New History for the Egyptian Old Kingdom: Perspectives on the Pyramid Age''. Harvard Egyptological Studies, volume 1. Leiden ; Boston: Brill, pg. 445.</ref> In the Indus, by the 3rd millennium BC, and likely earlier, gold was also utilized extensively, reflecting its increased importance for elites and trade. Like other regions, gold was generally found as part of the electrum, which is also a natural alloy. <ref>For more information about goldin the Indus, see: McIntosh, Jane. 2008. ''The Ancient Indus Valley: New Perspectives. ABC-CLIO’s Understanding Ancient Civilizations Series''.]]Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, pg. 145.</ref>
In the New World, the Andes region, in Peru specifically, has the earliest dated gold finds, where objects date to around 2000 BC. Interestingly, these early gold finds are in the form of jewelry and found in a burial context, similar to the Old World discoveries. <ref> For more information about the earliest gold artifacts from Peru, see: Aldenderfer, M., N. M. Craig, R. J. Speakman, and R. Popelka-Filcoff. 2008. “Four-Thousand-Year-Old Gold Artifacts from the Lake Titicaca Basin, Southern Peru.” ''Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 105'' (13): 5002–5. doi:10.1073/pnas.0710937105. </ref> This could suggest, similar to other regions, that as social hierarchy and stratification became established, gold was one object that differentiated humans' status within society. In other words, gold becomes associated with wealth and power soon after it begins to be used (Figure 3).
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====Role in Society====
In the cases where gold was found at relatively early dates, several characteristics are evident. For one, gold is often found in funerary contexts, suggesting it was both a status symbol in life and something to be taken to the next life. Interestingly, in many of the finds from the Old and New World indicate that gold, despite its rarity, was from its onset a way to display power in the afterlife and as a way to remind others of the power and prestige of the individual to members of society after they had passed away. <ref>Boyle, Robert W. 1987. ''Gold History and Genesis of Deposits''. Boston, MA: Springer US. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1969-6.</ref>
This concept continues when we see the development of state societies. Kingship, and by extension the state, begin to utilize gold more frequently for burials and in many of these cases it was a way to display power in the present and afterlife.
Perhaps this reflects the next life or afterlife similarly is characterized by social stratification. As social hierarchy developed in ancient societies, which seems to be true both in the New and Old Worlds, gold was common among societies that differentiated individuals in power and prestige. So in addition to being evident in the finds from Bulgaria and southern Levant, it is also evident in Egypt, Peru, and Mesopotamia, showing the diversity of cultures where this trait develops.
By the early 3rd millennium BC, we begin to see gold becomes symbolic with royal authority in Egypt. Expeditions were now organized for mines containing gold. <ref>For having more information about gold expeditionsof a trade value, although very likely this occurred earlier. We see: Der Manuelianevidence of gold being shipped in from distant regions, Petersuch as India or Anatolia, and Thomas Schneider, eds. 2015. Towards a New History for the Egyptian Old Kingdom: Perspectives on the Pyramid Agein places such as Mesopotamia. Harvard Egyptological Studies, volume 1. Leiden ; Boston: Brill, pg. 445.</ref> In the Indus, by the 3rd 2nd millennium BC, and likely earlier, gold was also utilized extensively, reflecting its increased importance for elites and when the trade. Similar to other regions, in gold was generally found as part of electrum, which is also a natural alloy. <ref>For became more information about gold substantial in the Induseastern Mediterranean region, see: McIntosh, Jane. 2008. The Ancient Indus Valley: New Perspectivesit is during this active time of trade that gold becomes a standard used to measure value of other commodities. ABC-CLIO’s Understanding Ancient Civilizations Series. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO, pg. 145.</ref> In the New Worldfact, the region of the Andes, in Peru specifically, has the earliest dated gold finds, where objects date to around 2000 between 1600-1200 BC have been found. Interestinglyor the Late Bronze Age, these early gold finds are in was becoming the form basis of jewelry value for many valuable objects now being traded between Central Asia and found in burial contextthe Mediterranean, similar to the Old World discoveriesincluding metals such as tin and copper. <ref> For more information about on the earliest Late Bronze Age gold artefacts from Perustandard, see: AldenderferEdwards, MIorwerth Eiddon Stephen, ed., N2003. ''History of the Middle East and the Aegean Region C. 1380 - 1000 B. MC. Craig, R'' 3. Jed. Speakman, and R6. Popelka-Filcoffprinting. 2008The Cambridge Ancient History, Vol. “Four-Thousand-Year-Old Gold Artifacts from the Lake Titicaca Basin2, Southern PeruPt.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 105 (13): 5002–52. doiCambridge:10.1073/pnasCambridge Univ.0710937105Press. </ref> This could suggest, similar to other regions, that as social hierarchy and stratification became established, gold was one object that differentiated the status of humans within society. In other words, gold becomes associated with wealth and power soon after it begins to be used (Figure 2).
==Role in Society==Evolution of Gold====During the 1st millennium BC, by around the 6th century BC in the Near East and eastern Mediterranean Hellenistic states, we begin to see coins now utilized with gold.<ref>For more on the evolution of early coins and gold coins, see: Leslie Kurke. 1999. Coins, Bodies, Games and Gold. The Politics of Meaning in Archaic Greece. Princeton: Princeton University Press.</ref> In fact, it is one of the first metals to be fashioned into coins, suggesting gold coins and coins i general were first intended for high value exchange.
==References==Conclusion====<references/>Gold can be seen to be something of great desire in many societies in the New and Old worlds (the Americas, Asia, and Africa). Despite the diversity of where gold was first found, at the onset, gold was seen as a way to differentiate the power of individuals in this life and the afterlife. This suggests the qualities of gold as being attractive to human societies seem almost universal or innate. Gold utilization in societies evolves as a basis for economies.
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