Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c16.s3.t4.7

v1.c16.s3.t4.7

The metal is porous due to unsound casting technique. The absence of coring and the presence of equiaxial grains indicate that the metal is homogeneous and was very slowly cooled after casting. The twinning that is observed near the porosity holes is probably due to the pressure applied by the gases, trapped within the porosity holes. The technique of venting the mould to allow for the free escape of the evolved gases was evidently not employed in the production of this axe. Anyhow, the celts, the anklets, the bangles and the rings mostly show preparation by hammering. (K.T.M. Hegde In Chalcolithic Chandoli by Deo and Ansari, 1965: 185-86)