Elements known from Time Immemorial

Nine elements have been known since the dawn of history and we know very little about their discovery. Seven metals, gold, silver, mercury, copper, iron, tin and lead, are mentioned in ancient Hterature and descriptions. The two non-metals known were carbon and sulfur. The Old Testament in the Bible gives information about ancient minerals, metals and other materials. Of the seven metals listed above, all except mercury are described there. 

The development of tools for handicrafts and agriculture, and the utilization of copper, bronze (copper/Hn), iron and steel (iron/carbon) became the basis of increased welfare. The same alloys were also used for weapons as means for political power The elements were thus important for peace and war. 

---

All this shows that abundance of chemical elements is by no means related to the date of their discovery. Hence, the statement the more, the earlier is erroneous. But why were these elements known from time immemorial ... 

A parallel can be drawn between the element itself, known from time immemorial, and its Latin name whose root originates from Sanscrit, one of the oldest known languages. In Sanscrit era means to boil . The name carbon was suggested in 1824. 

Discovery Quartz and silicates are known from time immemorial. J. J. Berzelius discovered the element silicon In 1824. He named the element after the Latin name s/tex for flint stone. 

Zinc is also one of the elements whose compounds have been known to mankind from time immemorial. Its best-known mineral was calamine (zinc carbonate). Upon calcination it yielded zinc oxide, which was widely used, for instance, for treating eye diseases. 

Generally speaking, there is every ground to classify silicon as an element of antiquity. Its compounds were known and used from time immemorial (suffice it to mention silicon tools of primitive man). We classified carbon as an element of antiquity since it was known in a free state from very remote times. However, that carbon is a chemical element became clear only two hundred years ago. Glass, in the long run, is also a silicon material. However, the date of silicon discovery is the date of its preparation in a free state since such is the established practice in the history of science. 

---