Ancient Egypt has brought us a huge amount of innovations. The science of Earth is one of them. Although, geology is a very sophisticated discipline, extraction of ore deposits was mastered around Nile delta more than 5,000 years ago.

Around year 3000 BCE Egypt was already established as a powerful country and although the marvellous era of pharaohs was still ahead, the country had a sound political and economical structure. The locals called their country Ta-Kemet, meaning the Black Land. With the enemies constantly looking to capture the fertile valley, Egyptians had to build up military might. Something that wouldn't be at all possible without sufficient material basis.

Almost all raw materials needed for production and military development could be found either locally or in the nearby desert. Local copper deposits were insignificant therefore it was mined in the Sinai peninsula. There was gold in the desert between the Nile and the Red Sea and in Ethiopia. Gold was central to the society. It was believed to have magical properties still it had a certain practical usability too, mostly reflected in Egyptian jewelry traditions.

Mountains enclosing Nile valley, were rich in various types of stone: granite, diorite, basalt, alabaster, limestone and sandstone. Semi-precious stones and gems were mined in the desert to the east of Nile, others like turquoise and malachite were sourced on the Sinai Peninsula. At that time lapis lazuli emerged as one of the most important if not sacred stones.

Ironically, lapis lazuli has never been found in Egypt. It was brought through the barter exchange with Asian tribes. It was sometimes brought from as far as Afghanistan or Caucasus. It still remains a mystery - how a stone not native to Ta-Kemet - has gained such an importance in religious traditions and everyday life. Lapis lazuli was used in Egyptian jewelry and amulets more than any other gem. It was believed to have protective attributes; it was associated with the goddess of the Night - because of the gold-like flecks of pyrite.

One of the most important material for an ancient Egyptian was copper. Copper along with the gold was hammered into shape using primitive stone tools. Still, thanks to great skill, ancient craftsmen could tame the difficult material producing some marvellous items of art. Numerous tools and weapons were made from copper. Agricultural and constructional development would be impossible without advanced metal tools. It was only during the New Kingdom - around 1500 BCE - than they started using bronze. It was quite late - some other ancient people discovered bronze as early as 3000 BCE.

The best thing about ancient Egypt heritage is that all their know-how and developments have been preserved through the detailed wall pictures and papyrus scrolls. Many of so-called today's "inventions" are actually nothing more than borrowed knowledge from the ancient craftsmen.