Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c11.s5.8

v1.c11.s5.8

Again, in the eastern side of the room 33 of S.W. wing, two curious kilns were found. Both were 4 ft 3 inch deep and paved with brick, round the inside of each was a 4 inch ledge, but not at the same height. The bricks used in their construction were wedge-shaped and laid with mud mortar, and their walls had been carefully plastered with mud. According to the excavator, it is evident from the vitrification of the mud-lined walls of these pits, that they were used to fire objects at a high temperature, the fuel used being either wood or charcoal, of which the white ashes still remained. The ledges mentioned were probably intended for the support of a crucible, or if we assume that the kilns were used for glazing, a grating may have rested on the circular ledge in each. Mackay was inclined to think that these kilns were used for smelting something more fusible than copper, since there was no draught or vent in their lower portions; most unfortunately no objects were found in their vicinity to aid us in determining their use with certainty. (MCK, 49-50)