An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s18.36

v1.c9.s18.36

Iron gained in popularity. The number and variety of iron objects show a marked increase in the post-300 B.C. subperiod. Arrowheads [19.3.1] were the most popular of war weapons. There was a large variety of them, like socketed, barbed, triangle-shaped with short as well as long, pointed and leaf-shaped blades. Other items include javelins, spearheads and knife-blades. An elephant-goad from ŚRĀVASTĪ is an interesting find. Nails, clamps, latches, drills, chains, etc., were used for construction purposes. Sickles of iron are commonly found at several sites. Axes and adzes were the other agricultural tools. A ploughshare from KAUŚĀMBĪ is reported from a late subperiod. Chisels, ladles, knives, rings, a miniature bell and a fragmentary bracelet, the last two from HASTINĀPURA, are some of the other objects.