Timeline of chemistry

This timeline of chemistry lists important works, discoveries, ideas, inventions, and experiments that significantly changed humanity's understanding of the modern science known as chemistry, defined as the scientific study of the composition of matter and of its interactions.
Known as "the central science", the study of chemistry is strongly influenced by, and exerts a strong influence on, many other scientific and technological fields. Many historical developments that are considered to have had a significant impact upon our modern understanding of chemistry are also considered to have been key discoveries in such fields as physics, biology, astronomy, geology, and materials science.
Pre-17th century.
The following list of pre-seventeenth century historical developments is limited to those which would eventually have an impact upon the chemistry that was practiced in early modern Europe, which from the nineteenth century on would become the model for a globalized science of chemistry. Thus, it notably excludes Chinese and Indian chemical traditions. 