Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c18.s3.5

v1.c18.s3.5

The Harappans were rich in copper usage, and were the only people in ancient India to use copper vessels apart from axes and swords. The vessels were made in two parts and joined together by running on and rivetting techniques. (Soldering was used only for noble metals). Metallographic examination shows that the Harappans resorted to open and closed casting, slow cooling of casting, annealing and cold work. (Agrawal, 1971, 1982) Small animal and female figurines like the famous 11 cm high dancing girl statuette were cast by the cire perdue (lost wax) process. A number of axes from Chanhu-Daro and Mohenjo-Daro show pucked surfaces and blow holes, indicating that ‘green poling’ was not done in open moulds to remove oxygen. True saws with teeth and body set alternatively from side to side appear at Mohenjo-Daro, perhaps for the first time in the world.