Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v1.c28.s8.t5.32

v1.c28.s8.t5.32

The Nepalese-Tibetan scenario has been presented by us in some detail for two reasons. The work at the British Museum (Occasional Paper No. 15 on Tibetan Metallurgy) is an outstanding example of the application of modern analytical facilities to the works of ancient art. Secondly, the data amply illustrate how the metal technology of ancient India moved across the international borders. Of course there was a reciprocal exchange of materials and ideas. India received during this era (up to 12th century AD) naipālī (Nepalese) copper, Tibetan gold and silver, some cinnabar and borax. Tibet also transmitted to India the Chinese knowledge of making cementation copper (precipitation of copper from mine-water by iron powder). We would deliberate on a reference to this process (made in Nalina’s Dhātuvāda) in the chapter 8 of our Vol. 2. Tibet rendered another singular service to India. During the onslaught of invaders starting in the tenth century AD many ancient texts and records were brought to Tibet for safe custody and translation. Thus today we are able to re-construct a part of the cultural and scientific heritage of ancient India for the period of seventh-twelfth century AD through the studies on Nepalese/Tibetan literatures and icons.