This paper examines some of the processes which may have led to the initial adoption of metallurgy during the Chalcolithic (ca. 4500-3200 BCE) period in ancient Palestine. An archaeometallurgical study of metal-related finds from the Negev desert demonstrates the presence of two distinct metal industries during the Chalcolithic; one for the production of tools and the other for the manufacture of prestige/cultic metal objects. A social perspective is taken to examine the role of early metal technology in culture change during this formative period.