The 7 Metals Of Fantasy (Based on History) | Worldbuilding

World Building with Metals

Introduction to World Building and Metals

• The video introduces the concept of world building, focusing on metals, their locations, mining processes, and cultural significance in civilizations.

• Matthew outlines a step-by-step approach to science-adjacent world building, emphasizing the importance of understanding where different metals can be found on fantasy maps.

Understanding Metals

• Metals are defined as categories of elements from the periodic table; 95 out of 118 known elements fall into this category.

• Native metals (e.g., copper) exist in pure form, while chemical compounds (e.g., copper sulfate) involve bonding with other elements.

Availability and Extraction of Metals

• Only a few metals like copper, silver, gold, and platinum group elements survive weathering processes in large quantities over geological time scales.

• Iron is unique due to its abundance but is rarely found in native form; most iron exists bonded to silicate materials which are costly to extract.

Ore Deposits and Mining Processes

• Most metals are not found freely but within ores—rocks or sediments containing economically significant amounts of metal.

• Ore genesis occurs through four mechanisms: magnetism, hydrothermal movement, sedimentary accumulation, and metamorphism.

Types of Ore Deposits

Magmatic Deposits

• Magmatic deposits form during magma melting and crystallization; nickel and copper deposits are examples typically found away from plate boundaries.

Hydrothermal Deposits

• Hydrothermal deposits arise from water movement within the crust causing physiochemical reactions. They often include copper and zinc along with trace minerals.

• VMS (Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide) deposits are crucial for early civilizations due to their accessibility near mountainous regions formed by volcanic activity.

Real-world Examples

Mineral Deposits and Their Accessibility

Overview of Porphyry Deposits

• Secondary mineral deposits, including lead, silver, and zinc, form along mountain ranges at volcanically active convergent plate boundaries. These deposits yield excellent minerals but are often less accessible.

• The first mining of porphyry deposits coincided with the invention of steam shovels and railroads, indicating that pre-industrial cultures found these rich sources functionally inaccessible.

Epithermal Deposits

• As fluids escape from porphyry deposits, they reach the surface as hot springs, depositing minerals along their journey. These are known as epithermal deposits and typically feature gold alongside secondary amounts of silver and copper.

• While all epithermal deposits contain gold and silver, copper is usually found closer to the parent porphyry deposit. Lead and zinc are deposited further away, with mercury being the most distant.

• Historical mining instances of epithermal deposits include those in the Arabian Nubian Shield, which contributed significantly to gold production for the Nubian Empire.

IOCG Deposits

• Iron oxide copper gold (IOCG) deposits form similarly to porphyry deposits but are associated with older mountains. They have exceptionally high yields but require advanced technology for mining.

• Mining of IOCG deposits has only occurred in the 21st century on Earth due to technological limitations faced by early civilizations.

Sedimentary Deposits

• Sedimentary deposits arise from environmental factors like erosion or deposition; they are generally more accessible than other types.

• Banded iron formations (BIF), a type of sedimentary deposit featuring iron oxides, formed during ancient periods when ocean water contained less iron due to high atmospheric oxygen levels.

Other Types of Mineral Deposits

• ZX deposits primarily consist of lead, zinc, and silver found in continental sedimentary basins—areas that were once seafloors now elevated above sea level.

• Secondary enrichment occurs when rainwater dissolves minerals from one location and redeposits them downstream. This can happen across various previously mentioned deposit types.

Placer Deposits & Coal

• Placer deposits form when native metals erode into rivers from mountainous areas; these accumulate along riverbeds downstream.

• Heavy rainfall leads to soil leaching in tropical rainforests creating residual aluminum deposits. Coal is also noted as an important resource for metalworking despite not being classified as an ore itself.

Cultural Utilization of Metals

• Prehistoric cultures utilized native metals through cold working techniques at ambient temperatures; gold was notably used for jewelry rather than tools due to its softness.

The Role of Metal Smelting in Cultural Development

The Importance of Fire and Smelting

• Cultures must utilize fire to reach technological advancements; without it, they cannot progress beyond certain stages.

• Tin and lead are among the first metals smelted due to their low melting points (230°C and 330°C), but they lack structural utility.

Transitioning from Stone Age to Copper Age

• Copper becomes significant as it requires smelting for proper use, with a higher melting point (>1000°C), necessitating advanced structures like kilns.

• Established cultures near coal, gold, and copper deposits can effectively mine these resources for decorative and functional uses.

Advancements in Currency and Tools

• The introduction of coins made from copper, silver, and gold marks a pivotal moment in trade during the Copper Age.

• Bronze emerges as a revolutionary alloy (copper + tin), significantly improving tool quality and weaponry compared to pure copper.

The Rise of Bronze Age Civilizations

• Settlements with access to both copper and tin are likely candidates for early bronze discovery, transitioning societies into the Bronze Age.

• This transition positions civilizations like Northwardian and Chosen as dominant powers in trade and military strength.

Challenges with Iron Working

• Iron's high melting point (>1500°C) makes it impractical for ancient cultures to work with initially despite its availability.

• Aluminum is also difficult to purify despite its lower melting point (660°C), delaying its significant use until industrial advancements occur.

Summary of Metal Utilization

• Metals can be found in native forms or compounds requiring purification; cultural progression involves moving from using native metals like gold to mining others.