[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989) › v1.c21.s9.17 # An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c21.s9.17 An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c21.s9.17 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c21.s9.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.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. \[For other sites see 16.7.\] - [Previous: v1.c21.s9.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c21.s9.16) - [Next: v1.c21.s9.18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c21.s9.18) - [Up: v1.c21.s9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c21.s9) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c21.s9.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.ghosh-1989.v1.c21.s9.17) · Pramāṇa