What idea did Dalton revive?

John Dalton revived the ancient idea of the atom as the fundamental building block of matter. He proposed that atoms are indivisible particles that combine in specific ratiOS to form compounds, laying the groundwork for modern atomic theory. Dalton's work emphasized that each element consists of unique atoms with distinct weights, which was a significant advancement in understanding the composition of matter. His theory helped shift scientific thought towards a more systematic and quantitative approach in chemistry.