History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c12.s1.t1.3

v1.c12.s1.t1.3

Besides Khetri, in western part of the country copper mining was done in ancient times at Ambaji, Kumbaria in Gujarat and at Deri in Rajasthan. Extensive old workings for copper, lead and zinc ores, and for by product gold and silver extend over an area of 2 sq km to the north and north west of Ambaji village in Danta Taluk of Banaskantha district, Gujarat, Another small area of ancient working for the above metal spread over an area of 0.2 sq. Km is located at Deri on Abu Road Taluk of Sirohi district, Rajasthan. Also ancient workings are found at Watera, Pipla, Golia, Basanthgarh for copper (along with zinc) at Basanthgarh north of Ambaji in Sirohi district of Rajasthan between Abu Road and Sirohi. 14C radio carbon dating of the wood samples found in the old workings and of charcoal in slag dumps indicate that the earliest mining activity falls in the second Century B.C. The other dates are in 1100, 1200 and 1500 A.D (Shekhar, 1983)