The elements were discovered in recent years by researchers in Japan, Russia and the United States. Element 113 was discovered by a group at the Riken Institute, which calls it "the first element on the periodic table found in Asia."

Where was the first element discovered?

Although elements such as gold, silver, tin, copper, lead and mercury have been known since antiquity, the first scientific discovery of an element occurred in 1649 when Hennig Brand discovered phosphorous.

Where were most of the elements discovered?

Leading the charge, the U.K. has discovered 24 elements, closely followed by the U.S. with 21, Sweden with 20, and Germany with 19. A number of old favorites — including gold, mercury, and copper — are listed as “ancient discovery” and don't have a country of origin.