It's impossible to say who "discovered" rocks and minerals. They have always existed and were likely observed and used by humans since the beginning of our existence.

Here's why:

* Rocks and minerals are naturally occurring: They are fundamental components of our planet and have always been present.

* Early humans utilized them: From the earliest civilizations, people used rocks for tools, building materials, and even jewelry.

* Formal study evolved: The systematic study of rocks and minerals, known as geology, developed over time. Early pioneers like James Hutton (founder of modern geology) and Abraham Gottlob Werner (credited with laying the foundation for mineralogy) contributed significantly to our understanding of these materials.

So, instead of attributing the "discovery" to a single individual, we should acknowledge the long and continuous process of human observation and exploration that led to our current knowledge of rocks and minerals.