Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c19.s5.t4.8

v1.c19.s5.t4.8

It is found that sulphur is present in Sample Nos. 1, 3 and 4 although not in appreciable quantities. The probability is that a sulphide ore was used in smelting copper. Since iron is present in all the four samples, (in three of them ranging between 1.23 per cent and 1.93 per cent and in the fourth to the extent of 9.7 per cent), the sources could be the iron-bearing chalcopyrites. Normally iron is removed at the time of smelting. However, if the process of melting is not thorough, the product would contain a higher percentage of iron as in the case of Sample No. 4. (Gaur 1983, 483-90) The copper samples might have come from Ahar.