Metallurgy in Indian Archaeology

by H.C. Bhardwaj

Metallurgy in Indian Archaeology is the first dependable work on the subject. It is mainly based on the laboratory studies of metallurgical remains from archaeological excavations. It reconstructs the ancient Indian metallurgy of all the metals and alloys of antiquity viz. copper, bronze, gold, silver, lead, zinc, brass, iron and steel and covers a period right from pre-Harappan (c. 3000 BC) to Gupta period (AD 600). The study reveals Indian ingenuity in mining metalliferous ores and their benefication, metal smelting, forging, alloying and casting techniques. Dancing girl from Harappan period, Daimabad bronzes, 'Copper hoard' weapons and tools, heralding of coinage by 600 BC, in different metals. Indian innovation of crucible steel, discovery of zinc by distillation, forging of massive and rustless iron pillar of Delhi and collosal copper image of Sultanganj Buddha bear testimony to the rich heritage of Indian metallurgy.