The earliest recorded metal employed by humans appears to be gold, which can be found free or "native". Small amounts of natural gold have been found in Spanish caves used during the late Paleolithic period, .
tHe eARliesT rECoRdEd metal empLOYeD BY hUMaNS appeaRs To be GoLD, wHIch caN be founD free OR "NaTIvE". small aMouNTs oF naTural GolD haVe been found IN spAnisH cAves used DuriNg tHe late PaLeolithIC perioD, .