Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c46.s1.5

v2.c46.s1.5

The problem of correlating archaeological and literary evidences is distinctly severe with the Ṛgveda and the epic Mahābhārata. The epic was definitely expanded from time to time, and the references to ant-gold, marakata or emerald and gem-incrustations must have been later-day insertions. We cannot accept that marakata was known to the residents of 1200 BC Hastināpura.