The earliest history of Banska Bystrica was connected with the exploitation
of its abundant deposits of copper (and to a lesser extent of silver, gold, and
iron). The tools used by prehistoric miners at the locality called Špania
Dolina have been dated to 2000–1700 BCE. People of the Lusatian culture built
their settlements at Špania Dolina, Horné Pršany, Malachov, and Sasová. Ancient
hill fort locations are still reflected in the local toponym Hradok, meaning "a small fort
