When exactly in the Middle Ages did alchemy emerge?

by rachelbinx

Question by 0dd1: When exactly in the Middle Ages did alchemy emerge?
All I know is that around the 12th and 13th centuries alchemy emerged in Europe as a pseudo-science. Can anyone give me a more specific point when alchemy became popular?

Best answer:

Answer by commanderabel
It’s almost impossible to pinpoint something like the origin of alchemy. Its roots certainly reach back as far as Rome and perhaps further into the East, particularly Persia. I would say you have the date correct for the modern form of alchemy, which is the search for the Philosopher’s Stone (and not a way to turn lead into gold.)

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