History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c20.s3.t1.14

v1.c20.s3.t1.14

The potteries unearthed from the pre-historic sites like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa and later on at Sanci and other places reveal the fact that people of these ancient days were acquainted with the properties of different colouring materials and pigments. Different varieties of ochres and haematities were used to prepare slips of different shades. The methods of slip preparation also varied from place to place. Most of the potteries found in these settlements were also painted. The technique of painting pots before firing and also painting designs on them after firing was in vogue. Mostly organic colours were used to paint the surfaces. For white pigment, lime, limestone, chalk and rice powder were used. To prepare black pigment, burnt cocoanut shell powder, soot, powdered charcoal, black iron oxide etc. were used.