Aristote (-384 to -322) distinguished between metals and " fossils " (rocks and non metallic minerals)

Plinus the Elder (23 to 79) published his " Natural History " in 37 volumes, gigantic scientific compilation the 37th volume of which is devoted to mineralogy. Plinus is dead while he wanted to observe the Vesuvius eruption.

Théophraste (372 - 288) published his famous " lapidibus ".