Modern chemistry did not arise out of nowhere. It has its roots in the Middle Ages. In those distant times, alchemists were especially respected, who tried to comprehend the secrets of matter and learn how to extract gold from other metals that were not considered noble.
Instructions
Step 1
An alchemist was a person who is engaged in occult science directly related to the chemical transformations of substances. Researchers believe that the first alchemical experiments were already staged by the priests of Ancient Egypt, who used the practice of secret healing. In those days, the art of healing the sick was largely determined by the skill of mixing various substances and herbal components.
Step 2
Over time, alchemy has acquired a different practical meaning. Alchemists, who could sit in their laboratories for several days, sought to discover a way to obtain gold from other metals. Lead was considered the most common source material from which the holders of secret knowledge hoped to obtain precious ingots.
Step 3
The transformation of base metals into gold also had a hidden philosophical meaning. It consisted in the process of spiritual purification and exaltation of the alchemist himself. It was believed that for a long time purposefully working with chemical elements, the master of alchemy became able to learn the innermost secrets of life. The process of such a spiritual ascent was difficult and lengthy, sometimes it took a whole life.
Step 4
Little was known in society about the true life of alchemists, since they tried to surround their activities with an aura of mystery. Alchemists used a special symbolic language in their practice. Until now, handwritten recipes for obtaining complex elixirs and the "philosopher's stone" have been preserved, which are almost impossible for an uninitiated person to understand. Each chemical element in the records of alchemists was designated using a conditional image. The sages tried their best to encrypt their recipes so that they would not be understood by outsiders.
Step 5
Already in ancient times, natural scientists harshly and justly criticized alchemists, considering their research mystical and devoid of perspective. For example, the famous physician Avicenna considered alchemy a waste of time. In his writings, he pointed out that he did not see any real ways to transform ordinary metal into gold.
Step 6
Indeed, alchemists' ideas about the possibility of mutual transformation of certain chemicals were primitive and far from true science. However, alchemical research gave impetus to the development of ideas about the structure of matter and ultimately predetermined the emergence of chemistry, without which modern civilization cannot be imagined.