The History of Alchemy

1. The History of Alchemy By: Oscar Hernandez

2. Definition of Alchemy • In all actuality, referred to as a form of science with a magical goal. The study of nature, with ambitions to conceive the Philosopher’s stone to bring forth the Elixir of Life and Transmutation of base metals to gold.

3. First signs: China • Chinese myths and legends from the first century A.D. suggest practices of Alchemy, but it is thought to have gone back further.

4. Egyptian Alchemy • More like what it is known as today, Egyptian alchemy is known to go as far back as 1900 B.C.

5. Other Early traces of Alchemy • Arabian 7th century alchemist Geber, or Abou Moussah Djfar-Al Sell, wrote 500 texts on the subject. • Rhasis becomes famous for transmutating base metals into gold.

6. Alchemy in Europe • Brought to Spain by the Arabian Moors in the time of the first crusades. • In the twelfth century, Artephius proclaims that he has lived for 1000 years. • Many other famous alchemists arise during this time.

7. Life of an Alchemist could have been hard • All the way up to the 18th century, European kings and rulers would have alchemists killed if they refused to transmutates him gold.

8. The Death of Alchemy • Thanks to Robert Boyle’s The Skeptical Chemist, published in 1861, alchemy was disproven. • That, and the sudden development of modern chemistry made all realize that alchemy was mostly, if not completely, false.

9. The benefits of alchemy • Despite its mostly imaginative nature, alchemy did actually help develop science. • It gave us: • Different important compounds (like the nitrate of silver and the red oxide of silver) • Cures for some diseases