Copper in Ancient India c7.s2.2

c7.s2.2

Regarding the first hypothesis it has already been pointed out that the Aryans were acquainted with the use of iron (ayas) from the time of their earliest habitation in the Punjab as it is frequently mentioned in the Rigveda, the earlist of the Vedas, and according to Max Mueller, the earliest composition of any nation in the world. On the other hand copper (loha) came into general use amongst the Aryans much later (about 1000 B.C.) as it is frequently mentioned in the Atharvaveda and the Brāhmans but not in the Rigveda. Having known the use of iron it is not very likely that the ancient Aryans used copper as an ingredient for making implements to an appreciable extent. Though a copper knife is mentioned in the Atharvaveda it is likely that owing to the peculiar sanctity attached to copper, a copper knife might have been used in sacrificial rites. It is therefore very likely that the copper implements discovered in ancient India were not used by the Aryans themselves.