Material Matters: GOLD

for gold, ‘teocuitlatl’, literally translates as ‘excrement of the gods’. This divine association gives some indication of the importance that has been placed on this dazzling metal by civilisations throughout history. It is one of the oldest metals to be discovered and prized – gold artefacts found in the Varna Necropolis in Bulgaria show that it was being worked as early as around 4600 BC, and its age-old attraction can be seen in its numerous uses, from coins, medals