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====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>  What the finds at Nahal Qanah and Varna Necropolis show is that early from gold's history it had already become an object that differentiated wealth and status in societies. In fact, we can say that gold seems to be associated with hierarchy, different levels of power, and different access to wealth at its inception of use. Clearly, this relates to the traits of its beauty and rarity, although it is one of the only types of elements we have known that seems to have these cultural attributes true for a large number of societies.  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.

One of In Egypt and Mesopotamia, the oldest known uses of two main regions where early urban cultures developed, gold appears to be was used by the 5th millennium BC. In Egypt, significant mining was likely already taking place in Bulgariaareas where gold deposits were commonly found, from a site that is called Varna Necropolis or Varna Cemetery, which dates to around 4600 BCmainly in southern Egypt and Nubia.<ref>For detailed more information about the Varna Necropolisgold mining and gold in Egypt, see: IvanovKlemm, Ivan SimeonovRosemarie, and Mai︠a︡ Avramova, edsDietrich Klemm. 20002013. ''Varna NecropolisGold and Gold Mining in Ancient Egypt and Nubia: The Dawn Geoarchaeology of European Civilizationthe Ancient Gold Mining Sites in the Egyptian and Sudanese Eastern Deserts''. Treasures of Bulgaria 1. SofiaNew York: Agatʹo PublSpringer.</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.

[[File:Or de Varna - Nécropole.jpg|thumbnail|left|300px|Figure 2. A burial of a high status individual at Varna Necropolis; this individual stands out from among In Mesopotamia, the graves and seems to have a substantial amount of first gold compared to other graves.]]In the southern Levant, a cave appears 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 5th millennium BCduring the Ubaid period. These We begin to get references to gold objects were in texts by the form 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 ringstrade, although it was not exclusive to states. In factNevertheless, 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 became mostly associated with priests/ Tel Aviv University, Sonia temples and Marco Nadler ''Institute of Archaeology'', no. 12royalty. Tel Aviv: Institute of Archaeology of Tel Aviv University Publications Section.</ref>

What the finds at Nahal Qanah Private households also traded gold and Varna Necropolis show is that early from gold's history often attempted to acquire it had already become as an object that differentiated wealth and status in societies. In factimportant long-term holding, we can say that but rarely was gold seems to be associated buried by private houses with hierarchy, different levels of power, and different access of wealth at its inception of usegraves (i. Clearly this relates to the traits of its beauty and rarity, although it is one of the only types of elements we known that seems to have these cultural attributes true for a large number of societiese. 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 it may have only been accessed by the most elite members of society. In both in the Bulgaria and south Levant cases, gold was found in the form of body jewellery; in the majority of early finds of gold known, in fact, gold was often associated as a body adornment, whether probably far too valuable for the living or the deadcommon households to remove this item from their wealth). <ref>For more information on the analysis examples of the Nahal Qanah findshow households possibly used golds in ancient Mesopotamia, see: ShalevNemet-Nejat, SarielKaren Rhea. 19951998. “Metals ''Daily Life in Ancient Israel: Archaeological Interperetation of Chemical Analysis.” Mesopotamia''Israel Journal of Chemistry 35'' (2). The Greenwood Press “Daily Life through History” Series. Westport, Conn: 109–16Greenwood Press, pg. 123.</ref> This suggests goldGold, at the very leastfor private households, was an element intended becomes a way for display, whether families to the living or to the deadpreserve and pass on wealth, given its great value and can be considered a type of showing off perhapsnon-perishable nature.[[File:Peru Zeremonialmesser Sican EthnM.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|Figure 3. A ceremonial knife from Peru, dated to impress others850-1500 AD, showing that gold developed independently in the gods, or even spiritsNew World.]]

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 areas of 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 did attempt 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 gold was possibly used by households 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:Peru Zeremonialmesser Sican EthnM.jpg|thumbnail|Figure 3. 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 more rarerarer.<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 Great Pyramid, and other pyramids, were adorned with gold, 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 shine of gold resembled the sun's shinning shining characteristics, representing the chief god Ra for Egyptians.<ref>For more description on the 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 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. Similar to Like other regions, gold was generally found as part of the electrum, which is also a natural alloy. <ref>For more information about gold in 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 of the Andes, 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 artefacts 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 the humans' status of humans within society. In other words, gold becomes associated with wealth and power soon after it begins to be used (Figure 3). <dh-ad/>

====Role in Society==[[File:Reconstructed sumerian headgear necklaces british museum.JPG|thumbnail|Figure 4. The gold headdress of Queen/Priestess Puabi. Gold, by the 3rd millennium BC, had become associated with royalty and the religious elite of society in Mesopotamia and Egypt.]] ==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 but also 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 This concept continues when we see the next life or afterlife similarly is characterized by social stratificationdevelopment of state societies. In factKingship, as social hierarchy developed in ancient societiesand by extension the state, which seems begin to be true both in the New and Old Worlds, utilize gold was common among societies that differentiated individuals in power more frequently for burials and prestige. So in addition many of these cases it was a way to being evident display power in the finds from Bulgaria present and southern Levant, it is also evident in Egypt, Peru, and Mesopotamia, showing the diversity of cultures where this trait developsafterlife.

NeverthelessPerhaps this reflects the next life or afterlife similarly is characterized by social stratification. As social hierarchy developed in ancient societies, there are key differences with how gold was treated which seems to be true both in early societies. In the ancient Near EastNew and Old Worlds, 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 common among societies that differentiated individuals in ancient Near East society power and wealth, see: Chavalas, Mark Wprestige., ed. 2012. ''Women So in addition to being evident in the Ancient Near East: A Sourcebook. Routledge Sourcebooks for the Ancient World''. London: Routledge.</ref> One can consider gold finds from Bulgaria and women's jewellery as a repository of the family wealth. This could southern Levant, it is also be one reason why we find female burials often having large quantities of goldevident in Egypt, Peru, as not only did they literally carry the gold but the family wealth is best shown off utilizing the female members. For exampleand Mesopotamia, showing the burial of the Queen or Priestess of Puabi from the ancient city of Ur is one example diversity of cultures where this (Figure 4)trait develops.

It is also by the 3rd millennium BC that we begin to see gold having more of a trade valueNevertheless, although very likely this occurred earlier. We see evidence of there are key differences with how gold being shipped was treated in from distant regions, such as India or Anatolia, in places such as Mesopotamiaearly societies. In the 2nd millennium BCancient Near East, when the trade in gold became more substantial in the eastern Mediterranean regionwas often found as jewelry with women, it is during this active time of trade that suggesting women often wore gold becomes a standard used to measure value of other commodities. In fact, gold, between 1600-1200 BC as representing family wealth or were often the Late Bronze Age, was becoming ones who literally wore the basis of value for many valuable objects now being traded between Central Asia and the Mediterranean, including metals such as tin and copperfamily's wealth. <ref> For more further information on women in the Late Bronze Age gold standardancient Near East society and wealth, see: EdwardsChavalas, Iorwerth Eiddon StephenMark W., ed. 20032012. ''History of Women in the Middle Ancient Near East and : A Sourcebook. Routledge Sourcebooks for the Aegean Region C. 1380 - 1000 B.C.Ancient World'' 3. ed., 6. printing. The Cambridge Ancient History, Vol. 2, Pt. 2. Cambridge: 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 and its role in ancient societies, see: Bernstein, Peter L. 2004. The Power of Gold: The History of an Obsession. Illustrated ed. New YorkLondon: WileyRoutledge. </ref>

==Evolution One can consider gold and women's jewelry as a repository of Gold==family wealth. This could also be one reason why we find female burials often having large quantities of gold, as not only did they literally carry the gold but the family wealth is best shown off utilizing the female members. For example, the burial of the Queen or Priestess of Puabi from the ancient city of Ur is one example of this (Figure 4).

During By the 1st 3rd 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 having more on the evolution of early coins and gold coinsa trade value, although very likely this occurred earlier. We see: Leslie Kurke. 1999. Coinsevidence of gold being shipped in from distant regions, Bodiessuch as India or Anatolia, Games and Gold. The Politics of Meaning in Archaic Greeceplaces such as Mesopotamia. Princeton: Princeton University Press.</ref> In factthe 2nd millennium BC, when the trade in gold became more substantial in the eastern Mediterranean region, it is one during this active time of the first metals to be fashioned into coins, suggesting gold coins and coins i general were first intended 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 that gold with iconography as becomes a way standard used to show government-level backing. This derives from the concept measure value of gold and royalty we had seen in the third millennium BC graves and other royal or high elite statuscommodities. In effectfact, coinage and gold become established as , between 1600-1200 BC or the Late Bronze Age, was becoming the privy basis of value for many valuable objects now being traded between Central Asia and the state Mediterranean, including metals such as tin and copper. <ref>For a history and presentation of types of ancient more information on the Late Bronze Age gold coinsstandard, see Friedberg: Edwards, Arthur L.Iorwerth Eiddon Stephen, Ira S. Friedberg, and Robert Friedberged. 2003. ''Gold Coins History of the World: From Ancient Times to Middle East and the Present: An Illustrated Standard Catalogue with ValuationsAegean Region C. 1380 - 1000 B.C.''3. 7th ed. Clifton, N6. printing. The Cambridge Ancient History, Vol.J2, Pt. 2. Cambridge: Coin and Currency InstituteCambridge Univ. Press.</ref>

EventuallyHowever, this was a relatively exceptional period, as gold coins continue to be utilizedin most other Bronze Age periods, silver was considered the use of gold and how much gold in coins becomes standardized more substantially. The concept accelerates in the late 1st millennium BC across the Mediterranean worldcommon standard, where gold is always the top-level currency and can 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 statesits greater prevalence.<ref>For example a history of gold and how it was used for currency its role in the Medieval Worldancient societies, see: AllenBernstein, MartinPeter L. 20122004. Mints and Money in Medieval EnglandThe Power of Gold: The History of an Obsession. Illustrated ed. CambridgeNew York: Cambridge University PressWiley. </ref>. Arguably, one of the chief motivations for the Spanish conquests in the New World was gold and much of that became refashioned into gold-level currency used by the governing bodies and banks of Spain after their conquest. This helped launch Spain and other European powers eventually into a global race not only for power but one can argue a race to accrue as much gold as possible, as it symbolized the new power of Europe.

What ====Evolution of Gold====During the 1st millennium BC, by around the 6th century BC in the example shows is that Near East and eastern Mediterranean Hellenistic states, we begin to see coins now utilized with gold had, very .<ref>For more on the evolution of earlycoins and gold coins, established itself as a metal distinct from all other metalssee: Leslie Kurke. 1999. It quickly became a prestige good that changed mediaCoins, Bodies, such as Games and Gold. The Politics of Meaning in coinageArchaic Greece. Princeton: Princeton University Press.</ref> In fact, but the prestige continued irrespective it is one of the media first metals to be fashioned into coins, suggesting gold coins and into the modern eracoins i general were first intended for high value exchange.

Gold can be seen Eventually, as gold coins continue to be something of great desire utilized, gold and how much gold in many societies coins become standardized more substantially. The concept accelerates in the New and Old worlds (late 1st millennium BC across the Americas, AsiaMediterranean world, and Africa). Despite the diversity of the location of where gold was first found, at is always the onset gold was seen as a way to differentiate the power of individuals, in this life top-level currency and can only be minted by the afterlifegovernments controlling a given region. This suggests the qualities concept of gold as being attractive to human societies seems almost universal or innate. Gold utilization in societies evolves over time as a basis for economies. By currency continues into the time currency or coins are usedMedieval world, gold becomes a high level standard that royal authority can only support and uses as a basis in economic exchange by placing particular for Europe after the image reemergence of the king on currencystates. This begins to make <ref>For example of gold as something to be controlled by state societies and their primary privy rather than that of common individuals. With how it was used for currency in the control of gold by governmentsMedieval World, this begins to help standardize its value and this concept continues into the modern erasee: Allen, while gold’s value Martin. 2012. Mints and importance to society has only increased since ancient periodsMoney in Medieval England. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.</ref>

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.  The example shows that gold had, very early, established itself as a metal distinct from all other metals. It quickly became a prestige good that changed media, such as in coinage, but the prestige continued irrespective of the media and the modern era. ====Conclusion==References==<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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