Habitation of the great plains in the extreme south of Mesopotamia occurs in later times. Metals and metal ore are already collected and used in the Neolithic period, predominantly as a curiosity. Like other precious stones, metal ore has been found in the Neolithic far outside the sites where they naturally occur, also as burial gifts. They were desirable objects, who give the owner a higher status or who emphasize the current status of the owner. Particularly aesthetic are silver and gold.
Some ore contains unadulterated metals.
The pure, native metal is in the form of little pieces or runs in veins through the stone. They are sometimes found on the earth surface and may be isolated by hammering. Mining industry is known from the end of the Paleolithic and is a well developed industry in Neolithic times. Digging for minerals is a side activity in the flint stone industry. Copper is soft and can be rolled and flattened.