History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c17.1

v1.c17.1

The crustal layer of this earth, constituting of rocks and minerals, has provided the basic resources for the material civilization. The only other important substratum has been the vegetable kingdom which depends upon the mineral constituents of the soil. Minerals have been used directly as gems, pigments, and to prepare metals as well as brick, mordant, pottery, glass etc.