Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c10.s2.t1.4

v1.c10.s2.t1.4

Technological activities increased, tanged lozenge shaped point was located along with luxury items e.g., copper pins with flat ends and twisted shafts. Utilitarian objects like small curved knives or sickles and chisels have also been recorded. Besides these, two socketed axes and one adze were the important metal objects. Of the artefacts from Period III which were analysed, only the axes and adze had a composition approaching that usually associated with low grade bronze. These artefacts had a tin content of nearly 5 per cent, the highest recorded at Mundigak. Other artefacts had lower tin content. By Period III, the differential characteristics of various alloying compositions had been clearly understood by the smiths, and metallurgy was led into a new phase of sophistication and specialization.