3,000-year-old copper mask found in South America

The mask is the oldest copper product. It is a well-known fact that copper was used by ancient peoples to make the earliest instruments and works of art.

After the mask was found in a grave in the province of Catamarca in northern Argentina, anthropologists believe that the mask is the oldest piece of copper. Anthropologists from the University of Buenos Aires describe the mask as a rectangular 18 cm by 15 cm object with a funeral ritual purpose. The mask was intended for a person's face with holes for the eyes, nose and mouth.

Scientists believe that the copper was obtained from ores found in the province of Catamarca, one of the largest copper mines, Alumbrera. The mine began commercial production in 1998 and its ownership is split between Goldcorp (37.5%), Glencore (50%) and Yamana Gold.