Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c14.s2.t5: Manufacture of Copper
Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c14.s2.t5
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Manufacture of Copper
v1.c14.s2.t5.1
The evidence of copper-smith’s workshop has been revealed from the Phase IV. There the mud brick structure consists of two rooms measuring 10 x 12 ft and 12 x 8 ft, internally, the overall measurement being 17 x 24 ft. A furnace rectangular on plan, measuring 2 ft 6 in x 2 ft is skirted by burnt bricks placed vertically on end. Other finds from the workshop include a copper chisel and two terracotta crucibles. A unique feature of the construction of the shop is that the cross-walls, providing entrance to the furnace-room, are not built in one straight line. Another feature of the workshop is the provision of a niche in the outer face of the western wall on the road side. (Rao, 95) Two types of furnaces used by copper-smiths are laid bare in Block A. One of them assignable to Phase III is more or less a circle on plan with a rectangular projection for supply of fuel. A thick bowl of coarse grey fabric with traces of copper and fragments of a copper chisel and a rod were found here. The second furnace laid bare in house No. 154, a muffle and a copper pin found near the structure go to prove that the structure was used as furnace by a copper-smith. In both the cases the crucibles were placed on burning coal in the enclosures as is done even today. (Rao, 83)
v1.c14.s2.t5.2
One circular kiln of mud-bricks, 6 ft in diameter and 2 ft 3 inch deep, uncovered at Lothal near the copper-smith’s workshop appears to have been used for remelting ingots as suggested by an earthen bowl found here. Large sheets of metallic copper, reduced to copper carbonate due to prolonged mineralisation on account of the saline soil, have been recovered in the form of flattish chunks from the vicinity of the smithy. The smithy was situated near the nullah on the northern fringe of the town. The anchor stone found on the brick-embankment of the nullah indicates that boats were anchored here possibly for unloading the heavy metals.
v1.c14.s2.t5.3
In spite of the destruction of the town in Phases III and IV, the copper-smiths re-established their workshop near the nullah in Phase V. Five small rectangular sink-like brick pavements skirted by bricks on edge and inter-connected with tunnels are laid bare in the workshop wherein several copper-smiths must have been working under a single roof. Near each sink, a pot-furnace containing ash and bits of muffles were noticed. Among the important finds mention may be made of two terracotta crucibles, small lumps of copper and a crescentic sleeved axe used for shaping copper and bronze objects.
v1.c14.s2.t5.4
From one of the rooms of lower town a rectangular furnace of burnt bricks had been laid bare. The contents of the kiln were ash and fragments of terracotta crucibles. A stone mould used for casting pins and awls, a copper pin, a broken copper chisel and a hammer stone with a socket for hafting are among the other finds from the workshop and its vicinity. At both the sites the kilns do not have any vent. They appear to have been used for melting the ingots in open bowls.
v1.c14.s2.t5.5
Two other types of kilns have been noticed at Lothal. One of them built near the workshop of lapidaries in Block F is circular on plan. The occurrence of several baked beads and pebbles of agate and carnelian in and near the kiln indicates that the structure was used by the lapidaries for baking raw materials as well as the finished product. But the possibility of the kiln having been used by copper-smiths for remelting copper need not be ruled out. (Rao, 522-23)