Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c13.s5: Clay
Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c13.s5
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Clay
v1.c13.s5.1
The clays used by the Chanhu-Daro potters resemble those employed at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. One is an alluvial material, tempered with mica, sand and lime, which becomes pink or light red in colour, when burnt. Mica is more often than not found naturally associated with sand in Sindh, but the lime was purposely added to the clay by the potter and occurs in appreciable quantities. In some cases the lime particles have swelled and made cavities in the surface of a jar. Some time a clay that burnt to a grey colour was used, although something may have been added to the raw material to produce this effect. The grey ware found at Chanhu-Daro is frequently gritty to the touch and is often over-loaded with lime and sand. The great majority of the Chanhu-Daro ware are wheel-made but a considerable numbers of hand-made pieces were also unearthed. Some of these are of careful workmanship. (MCK, 66-67)
v1.c13.s5.2
Apart from the potteries, the other things made from this clay are different terracotta and play objects. Among the play objects, the most mentionable are toy carts, wheels, animal figures on wheels, but with moveable head, whistles, rattles, marbles, gamesman, dice, cones, etc.