The Greeks obtained gold and zinc from both placer deposits (sediment deposited by rivers on their banks) and from deep shaft mining. To separate gold dust from the sediment on the river side, the mud was collected in pans  and water was used to wash away all the lighter mud and sand, leaving behind the denser gold particles. Alternatively, the mixture was washed over a woollen fleece. The gold particles clung on to the fibres while the waste materials were washed away. The fleece was then dried and set afire. The wool was burnt to ashes while the gold dust melted, forming large drops which could easily be separated from the ashes once the fire cooled. The Greek legend of the hero Jason who set off on a voyage to find the 'Golden Fleece' was thus probably based on an adventurer looking for placer deposits of gold!

Much knowledge of the mining method of the Greeks is obtained from the accounts of mining at Laurion, a silver mine that provided a large share of Athens' economic assets since the 6th century BCE. The underground mine was worked by slaves with hammers, shovels,  and chisels. The ore was removed in sacks. Ventilation shafts were dug for air circulation, and pillars to support the roof of the mine were cut from the rock itself. In many aspects this account shows similarity to how present-day mines are run. 

Ore from mines was crushed and mixed with water, which was then allowed to flow down corrugated tables. The corrugations trapped the heavier metal particles and the unwanted sediment was washed away. The Greeks had knowledge of smelting ores to remove impurities, though this knowledge was apparently borrowed from the Egyptians. But it is significant that these methods are still used in the modern world, albeit with modifications, and shows that the Greeks laid an important foundation for the advancement of metallurgy.

The Greeks made clothes out of sheep and goat wool. They  used various materials in sculpture. The early Hellenes used  wood,  limestone and marble apart from bronze. The famous statue of Athena at the Parthenon was made of wood and covered with gold and ivory, giving an idea of the technical skill the Greeks had in handling these materials.