Alchemy provided the beginnings of chemistry, and certainly helped to develop the apparati of chemistry. It is part of the history of science, which is the history of human interaction with nature, and humanity's attempts to harness the power of nature for very human needs and wants.
Alchemists acted on the idea that nature had secrets to give and that they could be revealed through laboratory examination and experimentation.
While their knowledge was limited regarding the properties of nature, nonetheless, the work of the alchemists provided the basis of modern laboratory techniques, and they did indeed discover many of nature's secrets.
Their pursuit for the elixir of life is not so different from modern chemists and natural products researchers who are similarly searching for that one great find which will cure all ills.
Alchemy would not make an appearance in Europe until the 8th century when Muslims finally brought alchemical knowledge with them to Spain.
While Egyptian, Muslim, and European practitioners were certainly interested in the elixir of life, there was a more noticeable focus on creating gold from other substances than was found elsewhere. Gold was perceived to be the perfect metal, with all others being less than perfect. The pursuit of the transmutation of lesser metals into gold was thus also the pursuit of the perfection of the human spirit.
These alchemists were known to dedicate their entire life to this myth hooked on the fact of what if it was real and up to this day there has been no major break throught in the so called science.
Article written by: Darion Sutherland
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