Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c15.s4.9

v1.c15.s4.9

Metallographic examination of the Ahar axe showed casting fins and rough uneven corrugated surface finish, which suggest that the artefact was cast in a crude sand mould. There are globules of cuprous oxide and lead which does not form solid solution with copper. The metal sample is porous; the porosity must have resulted due to inadequate ventilation during casting and entrapment of the evolved gases. Presence of dendrites and coring indicated slow cooling after casting and the fact that the sample was not work-hardened.