Alchemy (from Arabic: al-kīmiyā)^[1] was an ancient branch of natural philosophy, a philosophical and protoscientific tradition^[2] practised throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia,^[2] originating in Greco-Roman Egypt in the first few centuries AD.^[3]

Wikipedia

Al-kīmiyā is the branch of natural philosophy studied by scholars and priests of the Holy Empire of Byzantium, which seeks to understand the fundamental nature of the natural world through the purification, transmutation, and perfection of the materials naturally occurring in the world (including the naturally occurring supernatural entities, substances, and forces). Inherently, Al-kīmiyā is neither the domain of Law, or of Chaos; and is studied by both in the attempt to gain advantage.

This philosophy, as well as the supernaturally diverse range of materials found across the globe, have led to many advanced and practical uses for the young science quite advanced from what might have been obtained is a more mundane and less exotic setting.