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.

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.

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.

The author a devoted and well- knownThe author a dMetallurgy is an interdisciplinary subject consisting of Geology, Mining, Physics, Chemistry and other applied Off shoots ofscience. The vital role of Geoecology and mineral resources of India in furtherance of metallurgical innovation is also one of the prime aspects of this monograph. This excellent book will be useful to scholars andm students of metallurgy.

Illustrations: Numerous B/w Illustrations Description: This book offers a comprehensive discussion on the distribution of ores of copper and its alloys in the Indian subcontinent and critically reviews the related archaeological and metallurgical data, underscoring the tremendous richness and complexity of this tradition in early India. Summary: This volume undertakes a detailed study of the rich and continuing preindustrial tradition of Indian copper and copper-alloy metallurgy and unequivocally brings out its significance in understanding the ancient context.

The Rise of Metallurgy in Eurasia is a landmark study in the evolution of early metallurgy in the Balkans. It demonstrates that far from being a rare and elite practice, the earliest metallurgy in the world was a common and communal craft activity.