History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c13.s2.t2.4

v1.c13.s2.t2.4

Kolar and Hatti Gold mines were being worked even in the prehistoric times and as mentioned by Rao, S.R. (1973) the spectral analysis of the Gold objects of Indus cities and Kolar have shown high degree of similarity. Both the metals are in alloy of Au-Ag known as ‘Electrum’ instead of pure Gold. It has been proved beyond doubt that the South Indians had learnt the technology of mining Gold at these mines and established the smelting technology on commercial scale and the metal was being traded through Lothal by sea to Harappa, Mohenjodaro and even Egypt, Greece and Rome, Africa etc. even as early as 2500 B.C.