| In the late Middle Ages massive amount of Baryt which phosphoresced when it was gently heated, were discovered in Italy. This stone was named after its place of discovery "Pietra fosforica di Bologna" (phosphorescent Bologna stone) and was of great interest to alchemists. Although the name baryte ha ... moreIn the late Middle Ages massive amount of Baryt which phosphoresced when it was gently heated, were discovered in Italy. This stone was named after its place of discovery "Pietra fosforica di Bologna" (phosphorescent Bologna stone) and was of great interest to alchemists. Although the name baryte has been assigned centuries later, it may be assumed that the Bologna stone is the first description in the literature. A portrait about this famous mineral by Peter Seroka. |
| The metal extraction by ore leaching (mostly copper) was about 1,000 years BC. known in the Mediterranean, but there are also barely no written records. The in the Middle Ages and in the following Renaissance well-known different procedures were first described in detail by Georg Agricola 1556 in hi ... moreThe metal extraction by ore leaching (mostly copper) was about 1,000 years BC. known in the Mediterranean, but there are also barely no written records. The in the Middle Ages and in the following Renaissance well-known different procedures were first described in detail by Georg Agricola 1556 in his book "De Re Metallica Libri XII". A contribution by Peter Seroka |