Thames & Hudson The Story of Gold A Glittering History of The World

What do the asteroid 16 Psyche, King Tutankhamun, and pirate queen Sayyida al Hurra have in common? Gold! Since its formation 5.8 billion years ago, gold has been a vital element in the universe, playing a significant role in the world's history. The Story of Gold tells the remarkable tales behind thirty museum objects, including grave goods, gold jewelry, royal regalia, golden clothing, and religious items. Each story showcases the properties that make gold a precious metal and explores the alluring effect it has had on humans from ancient times to the present day.

Young readers will discover the tattooed Scythian queen who was buried alongside the horse she fought with in battle; King Croesus, who literally made buckets of money when he minted the first gold coins; Emperor Mansa Musa, who gave so much gold away during the Hajj pilgrimage, he ruined the Egyptian economy; the Muisca leaders who revealed the truth about the legendary city of gold―El Dorado; and the boom-and-bust gold rushes in California and Australia that tempted fortune seekers to strike gold.

Featuring reproductions of gold.

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