The phrase "metals of antiquity" refers to the seven metals which humankind had identified and found use for in prehistoric times. These seven metals, gold, copper, silver, lead, tin, iron, and mercury, are the seven metals upon which modern civilization—at least Western civilization—was founded.
Of these seven metals, five can be found in their native states (gold, silver, copper, iron, and mercury). The other two, tin and lead, must be smelted from ore; however, both smelt at low enough temperatures that a simple campfire is sufficiently hot to do so, at least with ores that were available in ancient times.
Of all the elemental metals that are now known to exist (86, as of 2007), only these seven were known up until the 13th century, when arsenic was first isolated.
Famous quotes containing the words metals and/or antiquity:
“As in digging for precious metals in the mines, much earthy rubbish has first to be troublesomely handled and thrown out; so, in digging in one’s soul for the fine gold of genius, much dullness and common-place is first brought to light.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)
“Nothing but great antiquity can make graveyards interesting to me. I have no friends there.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)