Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c24.s2.t2.13

v1.c24.s2.t2.13

The Romans confirmed India's supremacy in the technology of iron and its carbon alloys, but they failed to realise India's heritage in copper, zinc and brass technology. This may be explained by the facts that the regions between Rajasthan and Taxila were battlegrounds of Kuṣāṇas, Śakas, etc. during the Roman period, and the mining and smelting activities were going on in a low key. The Romans never had any direct knowledge about copper, zinc and brass metallurgies in India. The numerous copper mines in India were mentioned by Ptolemy but not the earlier Roman writers. Statues and other items made of brass found in Taxila and Northern India were mentioned by the Greek and Chinese travellers but rarely so by the Romans.