Ancient alchemy was a functional scientific practice used to create substances like monoatomic gold, which was essential for the operation of the Ark of the Covenant.

“as a Templar we're pretty sure we know what that Mana is and it's uh it's gold that's been converted into a monoatomic state uh where it it turned into this white powder that's uh the Egyptians have depicted all over their their Temple walls”

Alchemy was a collective dream representing a quest for truth and the transformation of the self.

“He believed that the alchemical endeavor was the manifestation of a dream and but a collective dream that lasted literally thousands of years.”