Meghna Desai, Thilo Rehren, Kudupudi Pulla Rao, Ch. Praveen Raju

Traces of Early Indian Peninsular Metallurgy: Iron, Low-Tin Bronze, and Lead

Introduction

Traces of early indian peninsular metallurgy: iron, low-tin bronze, and lead. Explore early Indian peninsular metallurgy through analyses of iron, low-tin bronze, and lead objects from Megalithic south-central India, revealing ancient metalworking practices.

Abstract

Metallographic and compositional analyses of several ferrous and non-ferrous objects from recent Megalithic excavations in south- central India provide new albeit limited insights into regional metalworking practices. A heavily worked but functionally enigmatic  lead object containing minor tin, points to the recycling of available lead sources. In contrast, a low-tin bronze wire, marked by  sulphide and lead inclusions, reflects the use of freshly smelted metal. All the iron implements were made from bloomery steel of  medium carbon content, with slag inclusions characteristic of the bloomery process, and their preserved microstructures documenting Megalithic craftsmanship. Taken together, these results reveal a community proficient in working a variety of metals,  from recycled lead to freshly smelted bronze and bloomery steel. At present, the broader cultural interpretation remains constrained  by the scarcity of comparative material from the wider region, especially for the non-ferrous objects. More studies are necessary to  provide a basis on which future isotopic studies can be built, for tracing the geological origins of these metals and placing Megalithic south-central India more firmly within broader technological and exchange networks. 

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