Pre-Atomic Theory

     The understanding of the physical world changed as the development of the atomic theory progressed.  The view of the world before the atomic theory is important to consider when trying to understand the kind of knowledge that people such as Democritus and Epicurus had when developing their theories that later influenced the further development of the atomic theory.
   
Alchemy
    Alchemy is normally thought of as the transition of metals into gold.  In reality alchemist are said by William H. Brock were “often concerned with a spiritual quest by humankind to make sense of the universe.” The transition of metals was only a small portion of what alchemy entailed.
There were three main terms used when describing the work of early alchemists; macrobiotics, aurifiction, aurifaction.  Macrobiotics used the understanding of botanical, mineral and zoological areas and then created medicines or as the people of the alchemical times called them, elixirs.  Aurifiction was the imitation of gold or other precious metals.  Aurifaction was the process of actually creating gold from another metal. 
    Geography greatly influenced the practices of alchemists. All over the world people were exploring the natural world and its chemical and physical properties.
Rituals similar to those involved in child birth were often found in Siberia, Indonesia and African alchemical procedures.  Brock comments that, “like embryos, metals grew in the womb of mother nature.”  There were myths associated in the creation of metals and why they were present in the world. 
In the Indian, Chinese and Arabic cultures they believed in the “elixir of life” and the alchemy taking place in these regions were focused on the body and the combination of what the body needs and what the body releases were of great importance.  The Arabic culture is said to be responsible to spreading these ideas to 14th century Europe.
When focusing on the development of scientific understanding it is necessary to take a closer look at the beliefs of the natural world of the various geographic areas.

China

As stated earlier, China was more focused on producing elixirs and drugs than the transition of metals.  Brock states that they waned to, “bring the body closer to a state of perfection and harmony with the universe.” Undergoing this process would eventually lead to immortality.
Naitan was the term associated with the physiological alchemy. It was based on the belief that immorality and longevity were made possible by a substance that is made by the body, an “inner elixir”.
All substances were either Yin or Yang rich.  Yin rich were associated with male, light, hot and positive.  Yang rich were female, cool, dark and negative.  The appropriate combination of these components were said to heal any sickness and lead to divinity.  One specific combiniation  lead to the discovery of gun powder.  This was done by mixing Yin-rich saltpeter and Yang-rich sulfur. 
China was not completely free of the transformation of metals into gold theories of more western cultures.  They believed that the Yang-rich red-blooded cinnabar would transform itself into gold.  This dates all the way back to 133 B.C.

Greece

As far back as 3000 BC the Greeks were extracting medicines and perfumes from plants, animals and minerals. The Greek society that prided itself in being intellectual and on the brink of discoveries were learning about the natural world thousands of years ago.
The Greeks associated metals and alloys with the planets, and days of the week.