Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c24.s2.t2.12

v1.c24.s2.t2.12

Since the Pre-, Mature-, and Post-Harappan ages, India used and processed minerals and metals, exported a large number of them, and also imported the deficiency items. The Graeco-Roman chroniclers emphasized both exports from, and imports into India. In this connection, confusions about nomenclatures have been evident and therefore highlighted. The equivalences between the Indian (Sanskritic), Graeco-Roman, Latin and modern names of minerals, metals and alloys have not been always easy to decipher, and more investigations in this direction are called for. Our critical analysis have however thrown new light on the subject and points towards certain historical truths regarding the history of minerals and metals in India and elsewhere in the world. Confusions have arisen on account of similar colours of widely different minerals, and the ancients' lack of knowledge of the modern methods of identification. The residual problems may be solved by sophisticated analysis of the ancient samples.