PNAS 2022 Cozzarelli Prize Winner for Class I: Physical and Mathematical Sciences скачать в хорошем качестве

PNAS 2022 Cozzarelli Prize Winner for Class I: Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Exploring the ancient chemistry of mercury: new insights into old recipes Marianna Marchini, Massimo Gandolfi, Lucia Maini, Lucia Raggetti, and Matteo Martelli Alchemy is often considered a mythical and esoteric discipline. However, alchemy shares similarities and a common historical origin with chemistry. The authors of this study analyzed Greek, Latin, and Syriac alchemical texts from the first to fourth century CE and experimentally replicated historical methods for the extraction of mercury from cinnabar ore. The team reproduced mercury extraction techniques, including grinding cinnabar with various metals or heating cinnabar in closed vessels. The reconstructed methods included procedures not otherwise documented in modern chemistry. Translating alchemical lore into the language of chemistry, the results provide insight into the early history of chemistry as a discipline. Read the award-winning research article: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas... For more information about the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, visit www.pnas.org.