Who else could have developed gunpowder?

[Vera Strawberry]

One of the most impactful Chinese inventions was that of gunpowder. It changed the face of warfare forever, arguably even more profoundly than the discovery of how to work iron, and the world would be unrecognizable without it.

But I don't think it necessarily had to have been developed in China alone. So I would like to pose the question: what other cultures and civilizations might have been able to independently create gunpowder? What might they have used it for?

 

[PobreCesar]

So I would like to pose the question: what other cultures and civilizations might have been able to independently create gunpowde

I could be wrong but perhaps it could have been invented in Iran? I don't know enough about the process to say.

 

[Escape Zeppelin]

Anybody could have, that's what makes its discovery so interesting. Charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter have all been well known since at least early antiquity and there are even mentions of burning saltpeter as a weapon in ancient India. The Chinese discovery was probably a combination of pure luck and a medical industry with a fondness for unique chemical mixes but from a technical standpoint there's nothing stopping Gilgamesh or Plato from mixing up a batch.

Personally, I've always suspected that it was probably invented several times but Chinese alchemists were the only ones with the dedication to experiment and refine the process into something more than a messy party trick.

 

[HARRY]

Sulphur, salt peter and honey mixed together can be used as a medicine or an explosive fire risk.

 

[Migrant_Coconut]

Alchemy goes as far back as Ancient Egypt - all you really need for gunpowder is the discovery of writing and somebody to chisel it down before they forget.

 

[Basils]

Anybody could have, that's what makes its discovery so interesting. Charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter have all been well known since at least early antiquity and there are even mentions of burning saltpeter as a weapon in ancient India. The Chinese discovery was probably a combination of pure luck and a medical industry with a fondness for unique chemical mixes but from a technical standpoint there's nothing stopping Gilgamesh or Plato from mixing up a batch.

Personally, I've always suspected that it was probably invented several times but Chinese alchemists were the only ones with the dedication to experiment and refine the process into something more than a messy party trick.

This. I’m sure things were very compartmentalized like Greek fire was and a few deaths could mean an end to an invention.
Plus as you said it being a party trick. I’m sure the next ruler cut it from the budget when they needed to tighten belts

 

[Lascaris]

Hellenistic/ late antiquity Greeks/ Eastern Romans make a tempting candidate IMO. Greek fire didn't come out of the blue...

 

[Dathi THorfinnsson]

See also

Gunpowder Discovery Outside of China?

Was there any real barriers to Gunpowder development taking place outside of China? Plenty of other spots had industrious engineers and inventors.

www.alternatehistory.com

Earliest Possible Invention Of Gunpowder?

I've toyed around with this idea before, but I thought it would be worth examining. What is the earliest point at which gunpowder could be invented, and what might the impact of its invention be on a more "primitive" society? Could the Romans have invented it? The Norse? The Egyptians? The Inca...

www.alternatehistory.com

Earliest possible gunpowder?

What is the earliest possible discovery of gunpowder that could happen? Also, when could said gunpowder be put into service, whether cannons, grenades, explosives, rockets or firearms? It would be preferable if this could be discovered in the Hellenic World or Middle East. Bonus points if...

www.alternatehistory.com

Ancient Gunpowder?

Early gunpowder was fairly basic, just needs the right combination of charcol, sulfur and saltpeter, and to me it seems suprising that it was first discovered in China in the 9th century AD. Now I am wondering: a) are there any reasons why it could not have been discovered during the Classical...

www.alternatehistory.com

There are also threads on WI Rome/Greece/Egypt/Europe/etc. discovered it early. And even more on WI it was never discovered.