An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c21.s9.17

v1.c21.s9.17

There are no technological data on iron prior to NBPW phase [4.18.1] [though iron was known in India earlier]. Studies on iron objects from the NBPW phase reveal that early iron was slag-bearing wrought iron (Bhardwaj, 1973). The metal was malleable and could be forge-welded. Iron ore was converted to blooms of spongy iron by the process of direct reduction. The desired objects were forged stage by stage from bloom to a bar, then thinning, pointing, folding and forge-welding. Some of the forge-welding operations require higher temperature necessitating the use of forced draught. UJJAIN, Pd II, 500-200 B.C., provides some evidence of the smelting of iron and use of lime as flux. A furnace for forging iron objects has been reported from this site. [For other sites see 16.7.]