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By Hisham Abdel-Hamid |
The renowned chemist Jaber ibn Hayyan (often referred to as the "Father of Chemistry") explained that mercury exists in two forms.
The first is metallic mercury, which naturally occurs in the environment. The second form, according to him, is a type of mercury extracted from all existing materials, meaning it is composed from all elements found in nature. In more recent times, this second form has become popularly known - especially among less-educated individuals, and surprisingly even among some educated circles - as "Pharaonic Mercury." However, rather than classifying it as a scientific chemical compound, many treat it as a magical substance endowed with extraordinary and supernatural properties.