Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c25.s4.4

v1.c25.s4.4

In the South Lode (fig. 17.3b) firesetting used to be done using a timber platform at a depth of 100 m. The earliest C-14 dates of the timber (Table 17.1) conclusively prove that underground mining started in India in the thirteenth century BC, if not earlier. The dam and ladder provide clear evidences of the system of water removal. Remains of woven baskets (to carry up the broken ore) and of ropes about 2.5 cm diameter have been found in the workings.