--it being found in a native state in sufficient
quantities to be hammered into implements.

Thus copper has been found in large pieces in its native state, not
only in Europe but in Mexico and other parts of North America,
particularly in the Lake Superior region; but as the soft hematite iron
was found in larger quantities in a free state, it would seem that the
use of iron in a small degree must have occurred at about the same
time, or perhaps a little later. The process of smelting must have
been suggested by the action of fire built on or near ore beds, where a
crude process of accidental smelting took place. Combined with tin
ore, the copper was made into bronze in Peru and Mexico at the time of
the discovery. In Europe there are abundant remains to show the early
use of metals. Probably copper and tin were in use before iron,
although iron may have been discovered first. There are numerous tin
mines in Asia and copper mines in Cyprus. At first, metals were
probably worked while cold through hammering, the softest metals
doubtless being used before others.

It is difficult to tell how smelting was discovered, although the
making and use of bronze implements is an indication of the first
process of smelting ores and combining metals. When tin was first
discovered is not known, but we know that bronze {102} implements made
from an alloy of copper, tin, and usually other metals were used by the
Greeks and other Aryan peoples in the early historic period, about six
thousand years ago. In Egypt and Babylon many of the inscriptions make
mention of the use of iron as well as bronze, although the extended use
of the former must have come about some time after the latter. At
first all war instruments were stone and wood and later bronze, which
were largely replaced by iron at a still later period. The making of
spears, swords, pikes, battle-axes, and other implements of war had
much to do with the development of ingenious work in metals. The final
perfection of metal work could only be attained by the manufacture of
finely treated steel. Probably the tempering of steel began at the
time iron came prominently into use.

Other metals, such as silver, quicksilver, gold, and lead, came into
common use in the early stages of civilization, all of which added
greatly to the arts and industries. Nearly all of the metals were used
for money at various times. The aids to trade and commerce which these
metals gave on