Fact of the Day, in Friday's On This Day daily email, was about bronze, the metal alloy comprising copper and tin, which was discovered around 5000 years ago. In part, it read, "it is believed that bronze was first made -- probably by accident -- in southwest Asia where both copper and tin ore are found in mountain streams."
Probably by accident? Why? If they were curious and intelligent enough to have figured out how to use copper and tin, why suppose that no one thought, "I wonder what happens if I mix them together?"
I've noticed there tends to be a polarized view of the ancients. Either, they were so stooopid that they only discovered things by accident, or they were in possession of great wisdom, and/or secret knowledge, which only a few of us modern day folk are enlightened enough to grasp.
That second view is often hinted at by quacks trying to sell their wares. Maki, at the Sci-ənce website, has a good article about quackery which includes a Red Flags Of Quackery cartoon. I've split it up into separate images for your delectation.
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