History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c12.s1.13

c12.s1.13

A large number of minerals, ores and rocks were known to, and in use among, the Indus Valley people. These include lapislazuli, turquoise, rock crystal, limestone, soapstone, alabaster, hæmatite, amethyst, slate, agate, jasper, chalcedony onyx, bitumen, steatite, sodalite, jade, lollingite, arsenical pyrites, etc. Most of these were found in the form of beads, pendants, etc. for ornamental purposes, and some like steatite were often coated with a glaze. Lollingite and leucopyrites were also utilized for the preparation of arsenious oxide and arsenic. Cerrusite and cinnabar have also been found at Mohenjodaro. They were probably used for cosmetics and medicinal purposes. White lead was possibly utilized for plasters, eyesalves and hair-washes. Galena was employed for the preparation of eye-salves and paints.