Saw a part of a History Channel show last night on Alchemy.  In it they discussed the role of Nicholas Flamel in this field.  The French Flamel, who was born in the early 14th Century, was alleged to have come across a book of alchemical recipes which he had difficulty in deciphering what appeared to be Israelite symbols.  After many years, he was able to consult with a Spanish Jew who I believe traced them back to Abraham.  Finally Flamel was able to decipher the recipe(s) – the recipe for the Philosopher's Stone which could change lead into gold and prolong life. As the legend has it, Flamel's later years were spent using his money to help the poor – money supposedly derived from his discovery.  He lived into his 80s, which was quite a feat back then.  The story, however, does not end there.  Some believed he faked his own death and lived on in secrecy, and in fact some books were published under his name after he was supposed to have died.  People claimed they saw Flamel in later centuries – all the way up to an opera in London in the 1870s.So tell me – do you think the Philosopher's Stone is real?  Setting aside the legendary tale of Flamel, do you think they were able to convert lead into gold even as far back as the time of the Israelites?