Copper

a nugget of copper.

Copper is a chemical element that is an orangy-yellow metal. It is ductile, malleable, and makes an exellent electrical conductor. It is used in pipes, wires, and coins.

It alloys nicely with other metals, making bronze and brass.

Historians and archeologists use the term "the bronze age" to refer to a period in human civilization when the apex technology was based on copper and bronze. It was preceded by "the stone age", when the apex technology was stone tools, like stone spearpoints. The bronze age was followed by "the iron age", when metalworkers had mastered the more complicated techniques required to work with Iron and Steel.