An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c21.s9.t1.10

v1.c21.s9.t1.10

Both silver and lead may be dealt with together on account of their common source and metallurgy. The earliest use of these metals goes back to the Harappa period. A silver bangle and a few silver fragments are reported from LOTHAL. 102 silver plates were recovered in association with the Copper Hoards [4.11] from GUNGERIA. The regular use of silver is marked by the introduction of silver punch-marked coins [3.1] by 600 B.C. Lead objects are reported from Harappa sites now in Pakistan but not from those in India. However lead was frequently used in this period for alloying with copper [4.9.1] and its advantage in lowering the melting point and thus easing in casting was fully realized. In the early historical period lead was a common metal, and its objects in the form of spools of coiled strip, wire, nails, antimony rods [18.1] and the like are reported from many sites. Lead was also used for minting coins.