who discovered the element mercury

The discovery of the element mercury is not attributed to any single person or time. Mercury has been known since ancient times, with evidence of its use found in Egyptian tombs dating back to about 1500 B.C. It was also known to ancient Chinese and Hindu civilizations. The Greek philosopher Aristotle mentioned mercury in the 4th century B.C., referring to it as "hydro-argyros," meaning liquid or water-silver. The Romans later called it "hydrargyrum," which is the source of mercury's chemical symbol Hg. The name mercury itself comes from alchemists who likened the element's quick, liquid movement to the Roman messenger god Mercury. Therefore, mercury was known and used by multiple ancient civilizations without a specific discoverer.