Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c14.s10: Conclusion
Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c14.s10
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Conclusion
v1.c14.s10.1
The above discussion shows that Lothal occupies a very important position in the Indus Valley civilization. The excavated materials have proved that Lothal served both the purposes, i.e., on the one hand a port town and on the other hand a factory site. The Indus civilization itself and to some extent the foreign countries, i.e., Bahrain, Oman, Persian gulf and the Mesopotamian cities were dependent on this port town. We find that the beads of Lothal and other objects, manufactured here, were also available in other Indus sites as well as in the foreign countries. This proves that there was a clear-cut trade relation between these countries.
v1.c14.s10.2
In this respect it can also be said that Chanhu-Daro was also a factory site, but its activities and production was not so wide and huge like that of Lothal. Copper at Lothal was arsenic-free whereas Mohenjo-Daro copper contained arsenic, and was probably made from Rajasthan ore. The technicians at Lothal either obtained copper from some other source such as Oman or knew how to remove arsenic by roasting or a subsequent stage of purification.
v1.c14.s10.3
Secondly, evidence of manufacturing objects from these materials such as copper etc. were not so much conspicuous at Mohenjo-Daro, whereas Lothal clearly exhibits its prowess of fabrication facilities. One large scale copper-smiths' quarter has been revealed at Lothal. Near the pavement a pot furnace containing ash and charcoal was noticed. The pavements are too small to be used as ablution pavements. Small lumps of copper and bronze and two terracotta crucibles with traces of copper were also found in the workshop. The most important find is however the crescentic sleeved axe bearing hammer marks. It was used for shaping copper and bronze objects. This particular evidence is enough to prove the authenticity of metallurgical activity at Lothal.
v1.c14.s10.4
The people of Lothal were experts in engineering metallurgy. Thin foils and beads of gold found at Lothal suggest that sheet-metal was beaten into foils and at the same time it also proves that the goldsmiths must have possessed adequate skill and knowledge of metallurgy. The uses of different types of metals and their products prove that the art of metal-working was practised on a large scale, and the metal-workers of Lothal could manufacture a wide assortment of metallic objects, some of which were of a utilitarian character whereas a few others such as ear-rings, bangles and other ornaments indicate fairly extensive use of metallic objects of decorative value.
v1.c14.s10.5
Three types of furnaces were found at Harappa but there is some doubt whether these were used for metallurgical purpose or not. Some excavators opined that these were used mainly for baking the pots and beads. But at Lothal the purpose and function of the furnace are more or less clear. From the evidences (furnished by the excavation) and shapes of the furnace, the excavators are of the opinion that these furnaces were used for metallurgical work, such as melting copper ingots or for casting tools and ornaments.
v1.c14.s10.6
Like Chanhu-Daro, Lothal was also famous for bead-making industry. One bead-making factory where nearly eight hundred assorted stone beads were found, clearly indicates its volume of work. Different types of materials were used here for the manufacture of beads. Lothal, which has produced the largest number of etched carnelian beads, may reasonably claim to be the centre from where the technique of etching spread to other regions. Lothal has yielded beads in various stages of manufacture which go to show that the process of bead-making was very much practised here. The manufactured beads used to be exported to foreign countries and to the different Indus cities. It is possible that the production at Chanhu-Daro was not adequate to meet the demand of the ancient world and hence the artisans of Lothal had also started to manufacture it.
v1.c14.s10.7
By its coastal position and activities, Lothal remained unmatched amongst other Indus cities. In spite of its destruction again and again by flood, the inhabitants of Lothal rebuilt it properly and kept it as an active port and manufacturing centre.
v1.c14.s10.8
Reference
v1.c14.s10.9
S.R. Rao, *Lothal* (Vols. I & II) Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, 1979 (Vol.I) and 1985 (Vol.II).
v1.c14.s10.10
exported to foreign countries. It is difficult to say that the production at Chanhudaro was not adequate to meet the demand of the ancient world and hence the surplus had also been exported to foreign countries.
v1.c14.s10.11
It is interesting to note that in Lothal and other Indus cities, in spite of the destruction of the flood, the inhabitants of Lothal, property and houses, had been reconstructed and the manufacturing continued.
v1.c14.s10.12
References
v1.c14.s10.13
The evidence of Lothal is very important for the study of the bead-making industry. There were found a number of bead-making workshops. The evidence is enough to prove the existence of bead-making industry in Lothal.
v1.c14.s10.14
The people of Lothal were very much interested in metallurgy. They had used copper for the manufacture of tools and weapons. Lothal must have possessed a good knowledge of metallurgy. The metal-working industry was practised on a large scale and the metal-workers of Lothal made and manufactured a wide assortment of metallic objects, some of which were of utilitarian character whereas a few others such as earrings, bangles and other ornaments indicate rarely seen artistic use of these objects of decorative value.
v1.c14.s10.15
These types of furnaces have been found in Lothal but there is some doubt whether these were used for bead-making industry or not. Some scholars opined that these were used for baking the beads but at Lothal the purpose and function of the furnaces are more or less clear. From the evidence across the three excavation, the shape of the furnace, the accessories, one of them at least these furnaces were used for metallurgical work, such as melting copper inside or for the manufacture of ornaments.
v1.c14.s10.16
Like Chanhudaro, Lothal was also a centre for bead-making industry. One bead-making factory where clearly the finished semi-precious beads were found at A, clearly indicates the volume of work. Different types of raw materials were used for the manufacture of beads. Lothal, which has produced the largest number of etched carnelian beads, is reasonably claim to be the centre from where it went to other sites. The evidence at Lothal has yielded beads in various stages of manufacture so as to show that the process of bead-making was quite well known there. The manufactured beads used to be