Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c20.s3.t3.4

v1.c20.s3.t3.4

At Barudih in Singhbhum, iron object has been found which occurs in an otherwise neolithic assemblage, characterised by a profusion of celts. Four radio-carbon dates have been obtained, the earliest being 1200 ± 210 BC (TF 1100). Chattopadhyaya and Ghosh (1982) have analysed a sample of carburized iron clearly showing the presence of pearlite, from coarse granular to lamellar, at places in equiaxed ferrite matrix. The normalized structure clearly shows that the implement was thoroughly forged and cooled slowly in air. We may recall that the iron samples from Atrañjikhera (chapter 11) of the same age also show carburization and pearlite structure.