1731 Physica Sacra (Sacred Physics) by Johann Scheuchzer (1672-1733) the fifth day of creation (sea creatures) folio copper engraving drawn by a team of engravers under the direction of Johann Andreas Pfeffel (1674-1748). The goal of Scheuchzer's work was to use the best contemporary science to illuminate the biblical account of human history in a sequence of 745 plates. At the time there was little doubt that science (physica) supported the literal truth of the Biblical chronology of creation and history.