Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c12.s5.7

v1.c12.s5.7

A small lump of decomposed orpiment, a mineral, trisulphide of arsenic used as yellow dye, was found from Mound F. A lump of rose coloured grain was found in a faience vase; it was reported that the black crystalline substance is hematite, ferric oxide, mixed with quartz. It yields a deep red powder when ground and it was meant evidently for use as red ochre. Dirty white paste of cerussite, lead carbonate, found inside a vase, might have been used as a face powder.