History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c12.s1.t3.8

v1.c12.s1.t3.8

The ore was finely powdered using ‘ghuns’ or heavy hammers weighing 32 to 34 pounds (14.51-15.42 kg) each. The ore had to undergo hammering three times before it was fine enough for roasting process. The powdered ore was next mixed with cow-dung and made into rolls about 4 inch (10.16 cm) long which was dried first in the sun and then roasted in the open air in a fire of cow-dung cake. The ore was then ready for smelting.