Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c42.s2.t1.17

v2.c42.s2.t1.17

*Vidruma* or *pravāla* (coral) mentioned in the *Mahābhārata* (1.105.17, 3.212.13-14, 7.73.25, 12.326.3-5) also came from Sri Lanka and the Malabar coast and later from the Mediterranean Sea. Of course coral was known in the Chalcolithic India, and archaeological samples have been obtained in the successive periods of Prakash (Period I 1700-1300 BC, II 600-100 BC, III AD 100-300) Navdatoli (Period I 1600-1300 BC, III AD 100-300), Maski (Period I 900-400 BC, III AD 50-300). The most substantial finds however are from the Indo-Greek (Bhir Mound II Mauryan) and Indo-Roman Trading Period (Nevasa V 50 BC-AD 200). Roman corals along with many other materials were imported and found in Nevasa V. Medicinal value of coral was testified by Caraka and Suśruta around the first century AD.