The manuscript traces the most ancient history of asbestos since 1st century AD when it was considered a wonder of nature. Following a chronological order, through some quotes starting from Pliny the Elder (23-79), Saint Augustine (354-430), Marco Polo (1254-1324), up to Boetius De Boodt (1550-1632), the thoughts and curious stories on the subject are presented. Those who initially dominated the literary scene were the ones who praised the virtues of asbestos and attributed magical properties and religious meanings to it. They were succeeded by Authors who wrote chronicles of fabulous journeys to the East. With a more rational approach, Marco Polo tried to dispel the idea that asbestos was a salamander, opening a new season that debates the information of ancient ancestry with new information aimed at scientifically understanding the origin and nature of asbestos.
THE HISTORY OF ASBESTOS: WHEN IT WAS CONSIDERED A WONDER OF NATURE LA STORIA DELL’AMIANTO: QUANDO ERA CONSIDERATO UNA MERAVIGLIA DELLA NATURA
Lorenza Fiumi
Primo
2025
Abstract
The manuscript traces the most ancient history of asbestos since 1st century AD when it was considered a wonder of nature. Following a chronological order, through some quotes starting from Pliny the Elder (23-79), Saint Augustine (354-430), Marco Polo (1254-1324), up to Boetius De Boodt (1550-1632), the thoughts and curious stories on the subject are presented. Those who initially dominated the literary scene were the ones who praised the virtues of asbestos and attributed magical properties and religious meanings to it. They were succeeded by Authors who wrote chronicles of fabulous journeys to the East. With a more rational approach, Marco Polo tried to dispel the idea that asbestos was a salamander, opening a new season that debates the information of ancient ancestry with new information aimed at scientifically understanding the origin and nature of asbestos.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
