Illustrations: 4 Maps and 47 B/w Illustrations Description: This is one of the few well documented, well-researched and well-presented book on the history of mining and metallurgy in ancient India based on archaeological, literary and ethnological evidences and on first hand knowledge of various mining sites. Apart from the introduction and conclusion, this work of about 300 pages consists chapters on mineral ores in ancient India, gold, silver, copper and bronze, iron and zinc. This book also contains 4 maps and 47 illustrations.

David A. Scott provides a detailed introduction to the structure and morphology of ancient and historic metallic materials. Much of the scientific research on this important topic has been inaccessible, scattered throughout the international literature, or unpublished; this volume, although not exhaustive in its coverage, fills an important need by assembling much of this information in a single source. Jointly published by the GCI and the J. Paul Getty Museum, the book deals with many practical matters relating to the mounting, preparation, etching, polishing, and microscopy of metallic samples and includes an account of the way in which phase diagrams can be used to assist in structural interpretation. The text is supplemented by an extensive number of microstructural studies carried out in the laboratory on ancient and historic metals. The student beginning the study of metallic materials and the conservation scientist who wishes to carry out structural studies of metallic objects of art will find this publication quite useful.

This handbook summarizes the main advances in our understanding of marine minerals and concentrates on the deposits of proven economic potential. In cases where our knowledge may be too limited to allow defining of their economic potential, those minerals are covered regionally or by deposit type. Handbook of Marine Mineral Deposits is divided into three sections; Marine placers, manganese nodules and crusts, and deep-sea hydrothermal mineralization. All of these mineral deposits have great potential importance to economic geologists and marine mines. Edited by an acknowledged expert in the field, this handbook includes work by internationally renowned contributors. The new United Nations Law of the Sea, ratified by over 100 countries within the past two years, provides a framework and guidelines for deep-sea mineral exploration that increases international interest in this book. The Handbook serves as a platform from which to launch the more detailed evaluation studies that will need to take place in the 21st century before recovery can continue or commence. Handbook of Marine Mineral Deposits is useful to mineralogists, economic geologists, marine geologists, marine miners, and conservationists. Features

Most studies of ancient technology have hitherto been based on the civilisations of the Mediterranean and Middle East, especially those of Egypt, Greece and Rome. In this volume the extraordinarily well preserved remains at three major mining and metal production sites in the Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan (Agucha, Dariba and Zawar) were revealed. At these sites, by survey and archaeological excavation, the authors, studied the long-term development of mining and smelting activity over 3000 years. At Dariba and Agucha silver was mined by the Mauryan Empire on a colossal scale over 2,000 years ago. At Zawar the Mauryan mines seem to have produced mainly zinc oxide, but in the Medieval period zinc metal was produced by advanced processes of high temperature distillation, almost certainly the earliest commercial zinc production in the world. Here the laboratory processes described in the early Indian scientific works were developed into major industrial processes, the birth of chemical industry at least 500 years before similar developments began in Europe. The authors also analyse the decline and rebirth of extractive metallurgy in India.

This book is an attempt to focus the attention on the sound economic ideas, magnificent financial management prevalent in ancient India. To start with a comparative position of ancient India and other ancient seats of civilization in this regard has been highlighted. The principles of Taxation, classification of Revenues–both from tax and non-tax sources and various taxes in vogue such as Land Revenue, Customs, Excise Duty, Sales Tax, Excess Profits Tax, Octroi etc. and also revenue from non-tax sources feature in the few subsequent chapters. The principles of expenditure and classification of State expenditure–Military, Civil and Welfare-oriented expenditures–are dealt with in the next few chapters. Financial Administration and methods of Accounting and also Budget including performance budget have been discussed. The findings of this book are based not only on the literary sources but also on the epigraphical evidences.

Professor Biswas Examines The Fascinating Indigenous Gems, Non-Gem Minerals, Metals And Metallic Art Of India From Ad 1200 Onwards To Almost The Threshold Of Modern Times, Focusing On Iron And Steel, Brass And Zinc In Pre-Modern India And The Superb Vitality Of Its Artisan S Tradition.

The book presents the historical evolution of gold mining activities in the Egyptian and Nubian Desert (Sudan) from about 4000 BC until the Early Islamic Period (~800–1350 AD), subdivided into the main classical epochs including the Early Dynastic – Old and Middle Kingdoms – New Kingdom (including Kushitic) – Ptolemaic – Roman and Early Islamic. It is illustrated with many informative colour images, maps and drawings. An up to date comprehensive geological introduction gives a general overview on the gold production zones in the Eastern Desert of Egypt and northern (Nubian) Sudan, including the various formation processes of the gold bearing quartz veins mined in these ancient periods. The more than 250 gold production sites presented, are described both, from their archaeological (as far as surface inventory is concerned) and geological environmental conditions, resulting in an evolution scheme of prospection and mining methods within the main periods of mining activities. The book offers for the first time a complete catalogue of the many gold production sites in Egypt and Nubia under geological and archaeological aspects. It provides information about the importance of gold for the Pharaohs and the spectacular gold rush in Early Arab times.