When researchers recreate alchemy experiments, you gain a “very sensual, experiential feeling of what it’s like to do this kind of chemistry,” Rampling said. “You get a flavor of the emotional impact.

For centuries, great thinkers of the Greco-Roman, Islamic, Medieval, and even early Enlightenment worlds investigated the possibilities of alchemy—the process of transforming base metals (i.e. lead) ...

See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. A study of archaeological remains from the 16th century has uncovered ...