History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c12.s1.8

c12.s1.8

It is believed that the furnaces employed for the smelting of copper ores were simply a concave depression in the ground Kilns have not yet been identified with certainty There is evidence that charcoal was used as a fuel The pits were lined with clay. A layer of charcoal was probably first placed on the floor of the pit and ignited Over this the ore and charcoal in alternate layers might have been arranged and the firing maintained by the aid of a blast