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5000 BCE
4500 BCE
4000 BCE
3500 BCE
3000 BCE
2500 BCE
2000 BCE
1500 BCE
1000 BCE
5000 BCE: Electrum (gold and silver alloy) used by the Egyptians in jewellery.
3000 BCE: Sumer civilization in Mesopotamia use gold in jewellery manufacture.
2500 BCE: Egyptians invent the technique of filigree in the manufacture of gold objects.
1800 BCE: Minoans on Crete use gold in jewellery manufacture.
1550 BCE: Gold death masks (including that of 'Agamemnon') made at Mycenae.
1200 BCE: Chavin civilization in Peru manufactures gold goods.
635 BCE - 585 BCE: Reign of Alyattes of Lydia. Minting of first coins made from electrum.
560 BCE: Croesus of Lydia first manufactures coins of solid gold.