Although they didn’t call it chemistry, people from ancient civilizations used chemical reactions in many aspects of their lives. Metalworking, including the extraction of pure metals from ores, and then combining metals to make alloys, like bronze, left many artifacts of early man’s chemistry experiments. Pottery, including the production and use of various glazes, fermentation to make beer and wine, and pigments and dyes for cloth and cosmetics are all evidence that man has always been fascinated by the ability to change matter.