Mineral Processing to Elemental Science in the Medieval World

Pages: 427About the Book This dissertation seeks to critically review the birth and progress of mineral processing to modem chemistry during the three momentous centuries (lGthto 181h) in medieval Europe. It has been necessary to record as a prelude, the progress on minerals, metals and chemistry in the ancient and medieval India, and to review the thirteenth century mineral processing text Rasa-Ratna-Samuccaya. since the 13 century marked the transition in the medieval world: decline of the Indian and Arab sciences, the Mongol invasion and the gradual ascent of the West. Georgius Agricola s (1494-1555) monumental work De Re Metallica signified not only a turning point in the annals of mineral processing, but also the first ever questioning of alchemy. What was the nature of scientific renaissance of Europe which permitted the early development of modem astronomy, but not of modem chemistry for two centuries, till Lavoisier showed us the way? The author