Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c20.s3.t5.5

v1.c20.s3.t5.5

Nevertheless, Agrawal *et al.* have proven beyond doubt that the metalsmiths of the megalithic period (1200-1000 BC) introduced in India the lamination (layering or faggoting) technique in which two sheets of iron were welded and forged together. One sheet was carburized and the other was not. In this way several sheets of iron and carburized iron could be piled alternately and forged into a flat slab having requisite ductility (of wrought iron) as well as hardness (of carburized iron). Later on these piles could be heated, hammered and folded during the fabrication of the artefacts. Agrawal *et al.* showed that the laminated samples examined had (a) clearly visible welding joints, (b) continuous chain of slag inclusions, (c) sudden changes in concentration of carbon, and (d) sudden changes in the orientation of elongated slag inclusions. These evidences confirm that lamination had indeed been done.