Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c17.s3.9

v1.c17.s3.9

Copper Hoards people developed copper metal technology indigenously. Probably this technology was developed by itinerant smiths as indicated by lack of permanent settlement mounds near these hoards and complete absence of metal pots and pans. (Agarwal, 1971: 205) The artisans definitely knew closed casting and smelting, but probably did not know alloying or annealing and cold work for hardening the tools. (Agrawal, 1971: 242) Since the raw material was near the Singhbhum area, it is safe to presume that the copper hoard tradition spread from Bihar/Bengal region to the Gangetic Doab; the artefacts became more sophisticated in the latter area. The anthropomorphic figures could be either ritual totem or missiles or simple scarecrows.