Exactly what it says on the box. I have a question I would like answered, due to my recent forays into the understanding of how gunpowder was discovered- an accidental experiment employed by cultures with advanced chemistry and access to the three special herbs and spi- I mean ingredients: Saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur.
Now, I know not every culture can make cannons, but in green Antarctica (and probably many other timelines that I have yet to read) the discovery of gunpowder, despite during the bronze age, was still revolutionary and caused them to go down a different path with the explosives that did not require the requisite metals.
So, as I stated in the title: Which peoples before or contemporary with- but independent of- the Chinese, could've discovered gunpowder?
People who would have advanced alchemy/chemistry, an access to the three main ingredients, and an incentive to use them.
I'm looking mainly at the egyptians (really any egyptians, ptolemaics especially), greeks, maybe even hebrews, or indians- but I'm also thinking that maybe the Mayans could've done it as well, although that one's a long shot.
Who, given the criteria above or related, would be in a position to do this?
Now, I know not every culture can make cannons, but in green Antarctica (and probably many other timelines that I have yet to read) the discovery of gunpowder, despite during the bronze age, was still revolutionary and caused them to go down a different path with the explosives that did not require the requisite metals.
So, as I stated in the title: Which peoples before or contemporary with- but independent of- the Chinese, could've discovered gunpowder?
People who would have advanced alchemy/chemistry, an access to the three main ingredients, and an incentive to use them.
I'm looking mainly at the egyptians (really any egyptians, ptolemaics especially), greeks, maybe even hebrews, or indians- but I'm also thinking that maybe the Mayans could've done it as well, although that one's a long shot.
Who, given the criteria above or related, would be in a position to do this?