A History of Silver
The ancient Italians and Greeks used silver for personal ornament, jewelry, vessels, arrows, coinage, and weapons. Silver was either inlaid or plated. Silver was likewise combine with gold in producing white gold, and was likewise mixed with baser metals.
Some of the types of ancient jewelry were discovered in the tomb of Queen Pu-abi at Ur in the ancient country of Sumeria which existed some 5000 years ago. The said crypt contained jewelry made from silver, gold, carnelian, lapis lazuli, agate, and chalcedony beads.
One of the richest deposits of precious metals was the Aegean lands. The deposits of these metals were estimated to have existed in 2000 BC. The biggest of these deposits was referred to as Priam’s Treasure, a large silver cup where gold ornaments consisting of pectorals, six bracelets, 9,000 beads, and 60 earrings were held. Silver was used in the Greek areas although only a few rings, vessels, headbands, and pins survived.
In the Mycenaean and Minoan civilizations, silver was also harnessed. A couple of silver dagger blades were discovered at a tomb at Kumasa. Silver ornaments and seals from the same era were likewise found in the said regions. Silver cup discovered in Gournia traces back to 2000 BC. Some of the jugs and vases from Mycenae were out of silver, while blades are inlaid with silver, gold, niello, and electrum.
Silver use remained prevalent from the Bronze and Iron ages. Embossed and engraved silver bowls used by the Phoenicians were located in Greece. Most of these bowls have elaborate designs of Egyptian and Assyrian characters, making experts conclude that the said items were brought to Greece.
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