Mining | Britannica
According to historians, the Egyptians were mining copper on the Sinai Peninsula as long ago as 3000 bce, although some bronze (copper alloyed with tin) is dated as early as 3700 bce. Iron is dated as early as 2800 bce; Egyptian records of iron ore smelting date from 1300 in the ancient ruins of Troy, lead was produced as early as 2500 bce.. One of the earliest evidences of building