History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c12.35

c12.35

Mackay reports of two curious pottery kilns found at Mohenjo-daro. Their diameter at the top measured some 3 ft. 3 in The flat base of one of the kilns was, however, 2 ft 10 in in diameter· the diameter of the base of the other was 3 ft. 2 in. But the depth of both the kilns was 4 ft 3 in. They were paved with brick and round the inside of each was a 4 inch ledge The top of the kilns was only slightly above the level of the door-sill on the side. The vitrification of the mud walls of these pits shows that they were used to fire articles at a high temperature. The fuel used was either wood or charcoal, the white ashes of which are still to be seen. The ledges mentioned above were probably intended for the support of a crucible or, if it be supposed that the kilns were used for glazing, a grating might have rested on the circular ledge. According to Mackay these kilns were probably used for objects more fusible than copper, because of their lack of draught or vent in the lower portions But there is no definite evidence about it (Fig. 9).