When was gold discovered?

Gold was used in ancient times, but scientists do not know the exact date it was discovered. The shiny metal was used to decorate ancient buildings, produce coins and make jewelry.

Egyptians used gold to make jewelry as early as 5000 B.C. The jewelry contained gold and silver combined to make an alloy known as electrum. Pure gold coins were first introduced by the Lydians, who developed a way to remove impurities using salt and very high furnace temperatures. When King Tut died, embalmers covered his face with a death mask made of solid gold. King Tut's body was buried in several nesting containers, three of which were gold coffins.