Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c13.s7.t1: Haematite

v1.c13.s7.t1.1

Haematite was used for different purposes. First of all it was used for making paints. For the decoration of Chanhu-Daro potteries earth colours only were employed: red ochre for making the various shades of red and manganiferous haematite for the blacks and purples. The browns may have been prepared from another kind of haematite or by mixing the colours together. (MCK 107) Apart from this, there were also haematite seals and beads at Chanhu-Daro. (MCK, 144, 209) The heavy deposit found in the base of a storage jar from Chanhu-Daro was analysed. Microscopic examination and chemical analysis showed this sample to consist mainly of calcite (crystalline calcium carbonate) with a small proportion of sharp angular sand composed of grains of quartz, hornblende and haematite. The whole was stained brownish by some non-oxide material disseminated through the material. (MCK, 251) The material could have been some eye powder.