Heritage of Indian Metallurgy – Volume 7 – Bronze

This metal alloy has a whole era dedicated to Its popular usage dating back to 3000 BCE and lasting till 1000 BCE called the ‘Bronze Age’. With origins In the Indus Valley civilization, its usage continued into the Rigvedic and early part of Vedic period. Bronze is known to be called a symbol of urbanization characterized by intensive use of tools and metal works, leading to huge changes in societies.

The major applications of Bronze include vessels, household articles, utensil and for ornamental purposes. As a matter of fact. Bronze mainly consists of Tin and Copper which when alloyed together Is much easier to cast, resulting in stronger and harder material compared to both individually. A higher composition of tin was used for making harder objects like tools and weapons, while more copper was used for better malleability.

This work provides a detailed study of origins of Bronze, various methods of extraction and manufacturing for creating various applications which led to many changes in metallurgy. This provides a comprehensive record of how a metal can change societies as a whole, thus leading to the popular era of ‘Bronze-age’.

Digital version coming soon.