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Stones Stories

каолинит
As the main antiseptic of antiquity, this stone helped mankind to cope with many diseases and to preserve meals. Its products are recognized as cultural heritage of the planet and are known all over the world.
везувиан
This previously unknown mineral was first discovered in the late 18th century by Abraham Werner, a German geologist from Freiberg, Saxony. He was studying lavas from Mount Vesuvius when he found several fine crystals of the mineral.
целестин
This mineral was on the list of critical commodities during the First World War. Peaceful uses have been found eventually, now the stone being part of any large celebration.
псевдоморфоза
Iron Man, a superhero brand owned by US-based Marvel, ranks high amongst Forbes’ richest fictional characters. Few know there was a man with superpowers who lived and died 300 years before his persona was recreated in comic books.
еврейский камень
Sumerian cuneiform is presumably the world’s earliest writing system. Yet billions of years before its invention, nature itself created a stone that looks to some like it was carved with writings in Arabic script, Germanic runes or Persian cuneiform. To others, the ’inscriptions’ may resemble math formulas and even Morse code characters.
сланец
This rock has turned the entire oil industry of the 21st century upside down. Today it is on the environmentalists’ black list and its extraction is demanded to be banned.
гагат
Initially, this stone was used to embellish the cattle. Then it became the symbol and dress code of Buckingham Palace during the most brilliant period in British history, the Victorian era.
платина
Some 500 years ago, Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro captured the last Incan emperor Atahualpa. Although a ransom for Atahualpa’s release was paid with gold, the emperor was still executed. Soon the conquest of Peru was completed; the indigenous people kept fighting off for a few more decades, but the Spanish had firearms in their hands. This drew a final line under the invasion of the country.
свинец
British scientists have revealed that breathing causes lead compounds to form within disposable face masks. It reminds of Vladimir Mayakovsky’s lines, ”as our days entered the water pipe, worked by the slaves of Rome”. Which is a typical example of how lead pipes bring about a decline in the population’s average life expectancy.
кремень
Two million years ago, human ancestors hardly had any idea what the term ’evolution’ stands for. Back then, their primary source of help was by appearance grey and a somewhat mediocre stone.