Comments on the antiquity of mining rocks and minerals

Abstract

The history of mining can be written from many perspectives: mining technology, labour inputs, economic impact or materials exploitation. Hard materials were needed to advance the material culture of civilisation, and this need drove the mining and quarrying activities of antiquity. This article discusses a selected number of materials that were commonly mined or quarried in the ancient Near East. The author seeks to illustrate the value of hard rock materials, their variety and exploitation requirements. He also notes the lack of information available on human groups, communities, and the social networks involved in exploration, quarrying and mining. This article is an appeal for more research on this topic.