litharge, white lead, lead sulphide (burnt lead), burnt copper, cadmia, marcaside, yellow arsenic
Spain
11th Century
Source: Salah Zaimeche, "Muslim Contribution to Chemistry," Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation, December 2001 (Publication ID: 4017).
Recipe Details
Ingredients
lead, copper, arsenic, vitriols, natron
Preparation Steps
Al-Zahrawi (of Spain) detailed methods for preparing mineral 'simples' which included litharge (PbO), white lead (basic lead carbonate), lead sulphide (described as 'burnt lead'), burnt copper, cadmia, marcaside, and yellow arsenic (orpiment). He also described the use of vitriols and natron in these chemical processes (p. 6).
Original Recipe Text
Al-Zahrawi (of Spain) detailed methods for preparing mineral 'simples' which included litharge (PbO), white lead (basic lead carbonate), lead sulphide (described as 'burnt lead'), burnt copper, cadmia, marcaside, and yellow arsenic (orpiment). He also described the use of vitriols and natron in these chemical processes (p. 6).
Evidence
"Al-Zahrawi also gives methods of preparing litharge, white lead, lead sulphide (burnt lead), burnt copper, cadmia, marcaside, yellow arsenic and lime, the various vitriols, salts, natron etc."
Remarks
Although described within a pharmacological context, these substances constitute the primary inorganic pigment palette for medieval Islamic manuscripts and arts. Al-Zahrawi's work played a determining role in pioneering medicine preparation through sublimation and distillation (p. 5-6).
Scientific Analysis
Chemical CompositionPbO, 2PbCO3·Pb(OH)2, PbS, As2S3
Analytical Techniques
sublimation
distillation
Certainty Level
Inferred
Instrumentally Verified
Not Verified
Metadata
Material Type
pigment
ColorYellow
RegionSpain
Approx. Year1050
Source Information
AuthorSalah Zaimeche, "Muslim Contribution to Chemistry," Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation, December 2001
CollectionAl-Andalus
Language
N/A
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