Gold and Gold Mining in Ancient Egypt and Nubia

Abstract

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Re-Os geochronology of gold mineralization in the Fawakhir area, Eastern Desert, Egypt

“…Harraz 2000;Klemm et al 2001;Zoheir et al 2008;Zoheir 2011;Klemm and Klemm 2013;Zoheir and Moritz 2014; and many others). However, thus far, no robust radiometric ages on the gold-bearing hydrothermal system have been obtained.…”

“…Langwieder (1994) concluded that the mineralized quartz veins are related to an open fissure system almost perpendicular to the NNW-shear direction through post-tectonic extension. Klemm and Klemm (2013) suggested that the elevated background gold concentrations (≤180 ppb Au) in fresh ophiolite and Hammamat molasse sediments from the Fawakhir area might indicate fertile source material for Au mineralization. Field observations led Klemm and Klemm (2013) to suggest a preliminary gold metallogenic model in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt, in which goldbearing quartz veins occur predominantly in ophiolite or in the Hammamat molasse sediments within an~500 m perimeter of granitic intrusions.…”

“…Klemm and Klemm (2013) suggested that the elevated background gold concentrations (≤180 ppb Au) in fresh ophiolite and Hammamat molasse sediments from the Fawakhir area might indicate fertile source material for Au mineralization. Field observations led Klemm and Klemm (2013) to suggest a preliminary gold metallogenic model in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt, in which goldbearing quartz veins occur predominantly in ophiolite or in the Hammamat molasse sediments within an~500 m perimeter of granitic intrusions. Less-important gold mineralizations occur in the hybrid, marginal zones of the granitic rocks as seen near Bir Fawakhir (Langwieder 1994).…”

“…It is located midway between the Nile River and the Red Sea in the central Eastern Desert (Figure 2a). Gold mining in the area is documented since the Old Kingdom (~2700 BC), with peaks in gold production during the New Kingdom (~1500 BC), the Ptolemaic period (~200 BC), and the Arab period (~1200 AD) (Klemm and Klemm 2013). Ruins of an ancient mining settlement, including numerous stone huts, ceramics, and different types of millstones, are dispersed close to an old freshwater well (Bir Um Fawakhir).…”

De los dioses a los hombres: Un recorrido histórico del descubrimiento de los elementos químicos

“…Sabemos que se añadía sal y plomo para eliminar los residuos de plata al formarse cloruro argéntico que, junto con el plomo, constituía las escorias. Al cabo de cinco días el crisol se sacaba del fuego y el oro fundido se vertía en pequeñas vasijas en las que se enfriaba y solidificaba (Klemm, 2013).…”