Dear nature lovers,

Copper – the metal which shaped the destiny of human race. The metal which spawned exquisite handicrafts and was once traded as currency! This is one element which has a strong historic connection with humans.

Copper was the first metal to be smelted from its ore, in c. 5000 BC and the subsequent period, roughly from 3500 BC to 1700 BC came to be known as Copper age (ताम्रयुग). And also the first metal to be purposefully alloyed with another metal - tin - to create ‘bronze’, almost around the similar times.

Copper metal is extracted from various minerals or ores. It is also found in a pure form, known as ‘Native Copper’, but is relatively rare. In India, copper is found in ores like Azurite, Chalcopyrite, Malachite, Cuprite and Chalcocite. During the Roman era, copper was mined in Cyprus, an island country in Europe. This gives the metal its name - aes сyprium - which means the metal of Cyprus - later corrupted to сuprum, from which the word copper was derived. In the early ages, craftsmen probably used native copper to work upon. It was widely used in making edged weapons such as knives, swords, spearheads, and axes or other items like brooches, pins, belt boxes and vessels for food and drink and most importantly coins. By studying the composition of these coins, its source can be traced. And this helped in confirming the trade routes within or amongst the countries.

In ancient India all the Copper was exported through a port in Bay of Bengal, which was named as ‘Tamralipti’ name after trade of Tamra. The modern day town of Tamluk in West Bengal is considered to be the site of ancient Tamralipti. In India Copper is extracted mainly from three states, Khetri copper belt in Rajasthan, Malanjkhand - M.P., Singbhum copper belt in Jharkhand.

Uses : Copper is used as a good conductor of heat and electricity, as a constituent of various metal alloys, such as – ‘bronze’ and ‘brass’ used in industry, sculpting, musical instruments, medals etc., ‘sterling silver’ used in jewelry, ‘cupronickel’ used to make marine hardware and coins, and ‘constantan’ used in strain gauges and thermocouples for temperature measurement.