Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c17.s1.t5.3

v1.c17.s1.t5.3

The small amount of nickel detected in the specimen represents only an impurity derived from the copper ore. The fact is significant, as it shows that the ore from which the metal was smelted was of Indian origin. The Indian, copper-ores have generally arsenic or nickel or both as impurities, and these are considered as the key elements in placing the source of raw material. The nearest copper-mines and ancient copper workings exist in Rajputana and Singhbhum, and it is probable that the specimens in question may have derived from ores from such a source. Even Agarwal has suggested that the source of the copper is likely to have been from the Rakha mines of Bihar, rather than the Harappan source, which was most probably the Khetri region of Rajasthan. The fact that this object is made of copper and not bronze, and the same applies to most of other objects as well, seems to be decisive in ascertaining the cultural affiliations of these copper hoards. (Lal, 1951: 24, 35; Allchins, 1983: 256)