alchemy
However, despite this secrecy several contributions were made to modern-day chemistry. Early acids and bases were discovered, and glassware for running chemical reactions was developed. Alchemy helped improve the study of metallurgy and the extraction of metals from ores. More systematic approaches to research were being developed, although the idea of orderly scientific experimentation was not yet well-established. The groundwork was being laid for the development of chemistry as a foundational science.