When did the beginning of elements begin?

The beginning of elements, in terms of their formation, occurred shortly after the Big Bang, around 13.8 billion years ago. During the first few minutes, protons and neutrons combined to form the lightest elements, primarily hydrogen and helium, in a process known as Big Bang nucleosynthesis. Heavier elements were formed later in stars through nuclear fusion and during supernova explosions, contributing to the elemental diversity we observe in the universe today.