Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c41.s5.5

v2.c41.s5.5

*Śilājatu* (2.12.4) or bitumen, also known as *adrija* was used as a medicine since the Harappan times and also a coating agent. Charcoal and husks from the forests and agricultural fields were utilised for their calorific value and carbonaceous content, in metal workshops, and the resultant ash further utilised for plastering walls (2.15.60 also 2.17.16).