Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c28.s8.t5.19

v1.c28.s8.t5.19

Considering that many copper and brass/bronze samples from India (such as the Nālandā samples) are high in iron content, it is surprising that the Tibetan icons are so low in iron content (*vide* Table 20.9). Out of 121 samples analysed by Craddock (1981: 26-30), only six contain more than 1 per cent iron. Possibly this indicates that the source of copper was Nepalese which involved a not-too-high smelting temperature precluding iron contamination.