An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c11.s10.1

v1.c11.s10.1

The earliest known specimens of copper or bronze knives, from the Harappa culture [4.9], are of a simple type with a thin tanged blade and pointed top, the cutting edge being on the curved side and the back slightly thickened. In a number of specimens, e.g. from Chanhudaro, there are rivet holes for the fixing of wooden handles. Most of these specimens are made of sheet metal and are not cast. Basically the same type continued in the Chalcolithic cultures of c. India and the Deccan [4.14.5, 6]. During the Megalithic period [4.17], when copper was replaced by iron, knives with blades with a short tang and circular section came into use as is revealed from the finds at TAKALGHAT, KHAPA, SANUR and BRAHMAGIRI.