History, Science and Technology of South Asian Ceramics – The Proceedings of the Third International Conference in Commemoration of Iravatham Mahadevan 2024 (5)

History, Science and Technology of South Asian Ceramics – The Proceedings of the Third International Conference in Commemoration of Iravatham Mahadevan 2024 (5)

Today, the last day of the conference had two sessions VII and VIII with the following papers.

09.01.2024, Tuesday – 10.00-11.30 AM Session – VII: Microscopy and compositional study:  this session was chaired by Dr. Mudit Trivedi and the following papers were presented.

Scientific Analysis of Archaeological Ceramics – K. Krishnan: The first compositional analysis of ceramics from the Indian sub-continent dates back to the 1920s. Those were wet chemical analyses that led to the identification of the elemental composition. The 1960s witnessed the application of petrographic methods to study ceramics. However, interpreting those results was difficult and offered many challenges. Therefore, the results of those early studies were presented as additional information in the respective excavation reports or as research notes. Though isolated, problem-oriented studies on ceramics using scientific techniques in recent years have brought out several interesting results that benefitted the scientific discipline and archaeological studies. This paper will present the applications and limitations of scientific analyses of pottery and its relevance to cultural studies through reviews and case studies. For this, studies on ceramics from different Harappan settlements in Gujarat will be presented. He focussed on understanding general issues such as provenance and clay paste preparation techniques. He also elaborated on the applications and limitations of the methods employed and how a balancing interpretation was made to satisfy the archaeological goals

Northern Black Polished Ware: An Ancient Science  – Alok Kumar Kanungo: Ancient sciences often denote to traditional knowledge systems, when the practices involved in the production cycle of the artefact are situated and contextualized to particular geo-cultural zone. When a knowledge system stands apart from its contemporary and remains in action only for a particular time period, that leaves behind more questions than answers. Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) is one such pottery type of India. The paper will deal with this ware’s history, science and technology by mapping the distribution trends of NBPW, and microscopic and elemental composition analyses of a selected sherds.

Some Aspects of NBPW Manufacturing Technologies  – Sidharth Shankar Rai: Potteries are the most fascinating artefacts for archaeometric investigation because separate pottery tradition represents distinct cultural tradition and the development of pottery manufacturing technology indicates societal innovation for producing a better product. Ancient Indian Glazed ware commonly known as Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) in archaeological literature is the iconic black glazed pottery produced in early Historic India from 7th century BCE to 1st century CE in the Ganga Valley. The NBPW has been manufactured in such a way that the gloss of this pottery has remained unaffected after passage of more than 2,500 years. . The production of glaze is a major achievement of ancient craftsmen. It is a result of different processes including the melting and solidification of a variety of vitreous compounds. Seven black coloured NBPW sherds and one ancient brick sample from archaeological site of Kausambi are analysed in order to understand the composition of clay, firing process and nature of the surface of the pottery. The samples are analysed through SEM, EDS and XRD. It is reported that locally available clay is used for pottery manufacturing and pyrolysis of clay minerals is responsible for the sparkling beauty of the NBPW.

From the East to the West: Investigating the Presence of South China Sea Ceramics in South Asia – Aude Favereau: Research on the movement of people and goods from the Mediterranean world to China via South- and South-East Asia aroused a great deal of interest, particularly on cultural exchanges that occurred by the end of the 1st millennium BCE and the beginning of the 1st millennium CE. Evidence of contact between communities in the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea basins during this period highlighted complex cultural interactions involving the exchange of artefacts but also the dissemination of technologies and styles. But what about the circulations from East- and South-East Asia to South Asia? Were there imported ceramics or vessels used to carry commodities? Are South China Sea ceramics known in South Asia? This paper proposes (1) to review the ceramics of South Asia reported in the literature as being potentially linked to the East and to assess what is known about these vessels in South-East Asia; (2) to introduce a selection of ceramic types that circulated widely in the South China Sea and that are also found at sites facing the Bay of Bengal in Myanmar to question whether these types travelled up to South Asia; and (3) to make inferences about interactions and exchange activities during pre- and protohistoric times.

Provenience Unveiled: Exploring Torpedo Jars through Geochemical and Petrographic Analysis – Ritvik Balvally: The regions of West Asia, Arabia, Eastern Africa, and Roman-Byzantine territories had trade connections with China, and India in the 1st millennium CE. Western India was a hub for Indian Ocean trade, especially between 3rd to 10th centuries CE and ceramics; glazed and un-glazed were a major part of this exchange. Torpedo Jars are West Asian transport vessels used for overseas exchange during this period lined with bitumen. But the provenience of these ceramics has so far eluded us. Although attempts have been made to study the bitumen and petrographic analysis of Torpedo Jars separately, the picture is still unclear as to where the Torpedo Jars are exactly manufactured. Thus, this study emphasises a two-pronged approach to bolster data further and infer it to understand the provenience of these ceramics. The geochemical data comprising biomarker and carbon isotopes on chromatographic fractions of the bitumen lining of these Torpedo Jars is compared to oil seep references from different areas in southern and southwest Iran. Data on bitumen collected from numerous Iranian archaeological sites has been used as proxies to complete the investigation. On the other hand, thin-section petrographic studies would help in determining the petro-mineral profile of the ceramics.

The Elemental Composition of Late Medieval Glaze on Ceramics from the West Coast India – Laure Dussubieux: Glaze is a thin layer of a vitreous material fused at the surface of a ceramic. It is applied either for decorative purposes, adding colours and shine to the ceramic paste, or for practical reasons, as it improves the impermeability of the ceramics to liquids. Glazes often have compositions very similar to glass and are either silica or lead-based, with the addition of different alkali or alkali-earth rich ingredients depending on when and where it was produced. Metals and oxides are added to modify the colour or opacity of the glazes. Being able to determine the elemental composition of the glaze is important as it is a way to obtain information about the dating and provenance of the ceramics. In west coast of India, there are several medieval sites which have given evidence of glazed ware of Monochrome variety, and the epicenter of production evidence comes from the Gulf of Khambhat during 14-16th c. CE. This paper will illustrate the study of glaze on ceramics with the case of artefacts found at the site of Bhagatrav in Gujarat, dating from the 14th to 17th c. CE. Several types of glazes were identified based on their compositions: a Celadon from China, two samples possibly manufactured at or around Bhagatrav, two samples possibly produced in Khambhat, Gujarat and two samples with a likely Indian origin, although a more precise place of manufacture cannot be proposed. These results indicate a connection of Bhagatrav with the long-distance trade of the Indian Ocean as revealed by the presence of a ceramic sherd from China, contrasting with more local or regional exchange networks that connected Bhagatrav to Khambhat and possibly other localities nearby.

India was not depicted properly in her slides….

Marine Seismics and its use in Marine Archaeology  – Rajesh Nair: Marine seismic technology is pivotal in underwater archaeology, particularly in exploring submerged ancient civilizations resulting from historical climatic shifts. Given that more than two-thirds of our planet’s surface is covered by vast water bodies, traditional survey methods prove inadequate for visualizing sedimentary layers, human-built structures, and lost cities concealed beneath. Fusing marine seismics with sophisticated seismic interpretation techniques yields a profound advancement in marine archaeology. Seismic attribute analysis adeptly identifies nuanced data variations, hinting at the presence of shipwrecks, submerged edifices, and artefacts. Seismic inversion, in turn, refines data, offering insights into the archaeological site’s age and the preservation status of its relics. Incorporating 3D visualization provides multifaceted perspectives, facilitating meticulous excavation planning. The amalgamation of seismic inversion methodologies with multi-point geostatistics, as exemplified in the Mumbai offshore region (Ambati et al., GGGG, 2021), serves to model subsurface structures and pinpoint anomalies in sedimentary deposits. This comprehensive approach fosters non-invasive investigations, mitigating the need for destructive physical excavations. Not only does it unearth archaeological features, but it also supplies vital information about their attributes and geological context.

Discussion: The questions may be written down and sent to the paper presenters, s announced by the organizers. . In the slides shown by Laure Dussubieux, India was depicted in the truncated form. The organizers could have noted to avoid such depictions. When asked about the holes found in the tripod type ceramics, the paper presenter could not answer, but explained away mentioning that was only hypothesis. In fact, she went to teacher / guide telling that she would better explain. Suggestion was also made to compare the tripod pottery with that of South India. Perhaps, the Thailand researchers my not be knowing about the tripod ceramic potteries fund in the South India.

2.30-4.00 PM Session VIII: Pyrotechnology: The session was chaired by Prof. Ajithprasad P.

Chemical-technological Analysis of the Li People Ceramics of Hainan Island: The Problem of Preserving Pottery Traditions  – Ekaterina Girchenko and Oleg Kardash: This paper investigates the pottery traditions of the Li people of Hainan island in southern China. The Li people till recently, lived isolated in mountainous areas for a long time, so they have preserved many ancient traditions up to the present day. It is a matter of principle for our respondents from the Donghe village not to use modern tools and containers in the ceramic crafts, but to make all the necessary attributes from bamboo, wood and shells. All stages of pottery-making were recorded in the study. Eight samples of clays and ceramic fragments, both fired and unfired, were selected for Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence analysis, in order to reconstruct the structure, mineral composition and chemical properties of clays that according to potters were suitable and unsuitable for pottery-making. The chemical research has made it possible to establish temperatures that are quite high for firing over an open fire, which means that the complex structure of the fire pit with coconut shells and branches made it possible to achieve reducing roasting parameters for ceramics over an open fire as if they were fired in a kiln. The results of the experiments are correlated with the archaeological materials, so it is possible to recreate the specific characteristics of ancient pottery.

More ideas on Harappan Stoneware Bangles  – Massimo Vidale: The presentation summarizes what is presently known about the complicated pyrotechnology of Harappan stoneware bangles based on discoveries at Mohenjo-Daro and following important experimental studies during the excavation at Harappa. He went into the technical details of how the bangles were manufactured with the furnace etc. We propose critical considerations of what has been published so far and some new possible interpretations about the firing technology of this amazing and unique class of personal ornaments. He has already published papers and books on the topic individually and also with his colleagues.

On the importance of Technical Ceramics: Archaeometric Analyses and Historical Interpretation of Crucibles, Furnaces, Moulds and Tuyères and a Case Study from Southern Thailand  – Thomas Oliver Pryce: In a traditionally constituted archaeological team, ceramic artefacts fall under the purview of the ceramicist, while metal artefacts lie within that of the metallurgist. However, while the former is usually chiefly concerned with huge amounts of pottery, the latter is often asked to consider technical ceramics, or all ceramics that are not pottery or fragments thereof. This category can include materials from a wide variety of sources: ceramic building materials like adobe, bricks, clay flooring, cob and tile, as well as crucibles, furnaces, hearths, moulds and tuyères from a range of high-temperature industries. Of course, such division of specialist labour is rarely planned as such, and rather it results from the uncertainties implicit in discoloured, degraded, fragmentary and/or vitrified artefacts as they come out of the ground.

And such evaluation must be initiated as they are excavated, as passage via the pot wash can destroy vital information. With this paper, I will give the case study of Khao Sam Kaeo, a 4th-1st c. BCE entrepot and proto-city state in peninsular Thailand, which has produced exceptional evidence for exchanges of raw materials, techniques and even artisans across the Bay of Bengal. In Southeast Asia, there is a class of metal artefacts called ‘Indian high-tin bronze bowls’, due to comparators from the subcontinent with a particular configuration of typo-stylistic, technological, elemental and lead isotopic characteristics. Applying a ‘technological approach’ to these bowls, demonstrating how, where and by whom these artefacts were produced depends upon the associated technical ceramics, in particular vitrified and slagged fragments and globular vessels with a nippled base.

Live potters (Handmade Naga Pottery and Black Pottery of Azamgarh) workshops and kilns for hands-on experiments will be available throughout the conference at KV Ground, adjacent to TTJ Auditorium. Nagaland  – Mrs. Chahang Phom and Ali Phom with Interpreter Mr. Pangtuk Phom and Uttar Pradesh  – Mr. Ramjatan Prajapati and Sohit Kumar Prajapati explained the process. The participants and delegates carefully noted the manufacturing activities carried on for the purpose. The artisans came here for the purpose.

After the paper presentation, the certificates were distributed to some of the participants ad delegates. Alok Kumar Kanungo thanked all who participated and attended the conference and as well as the organizations helped them accommodating to host by providing all facilities. Rajan also thanked all hoping to meet again on some other conference. The Five-day deliberations concluded with the National Anthem.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

09-01-2024

Recent Advances in South Indian Archaeology – The 2nd International Symposium in memory of Iravatham Mahadevan – 11-03-2023- Animal remains, ideology, orientalism etc (6)

Recent Advances in South Indian Archaeology – The 2^nd International Symposium in memory of Iravatham Mahadevan – 11-03-2023- Animal remains, ideology, orientalism etc (6)

Arti Deshpande talked about the animal remains…..

says these topics are not dealt with……………………

she started explaining the megalithic burials………………….

the principles involved………………..

all animal remains have been given to their laboratory………………………………….

they study them to identify the animals and listed…………………………

with the bones,bone pieces,cut marks on them…etc….interpretations are made……………………………

Arti Deshpande – animal remains of Tamilnadu: Prof Peddaiah had to make his presentation on-line, but, as there was some technical problem, it was delayed. It was postponed to after lunch session. Again, there was some delay, therefore, the paper reading session started with Arti Deshpande and the session was headed by Marxia Gandhi. Arti Deshpande was trying to delve upon the animal remains found at different sites. She claims that the Subject was new in Tamilnadu, it has not been studied by others so far. Archaeology of Tamilnadu, the human burials were studied under all types of megalithic monuments, but not much attention as given to the excavated animal remains. She claimed that Lack of information about what they were eating during ancient period and the archaeo-zoology domestication of animals, deals with such issues. Excavations have going on at different places and samples were sent to them for study ..work is going on and her observations are preliminary…only lab in south Asia, all international; protocols are followed…..Therefore, he was making this paper even visiting the sites, as she was telling. She was showing slides with photographs giving the statistical details of animals…She-goat found more than he-goat exploited as could be noted from the recovered bone pieces.

Observation: However, it has to be mentioned that the Sangam literature has been vivid with the different flesh, meat and animal products eaten by them and there have been published papers also. As long as the human activities have been going on, such remnants are bound to occur.

Prof Peddaiah- on-line – ideology, orientalism etc: There was a lot of delay before his starting speech…..his voice was not clear, his paper was not distributed to follow him. He used no slides. …it appears that he was talking against ideology etc.. Researchers in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world that experienced prolonged periods of colonial rule by European powers may adopt divergent intellectual positions regarding the nature and extent of the contribution made by the colonizing powers to the study of the historical past and cultural heritage of their respective colonies. Perceptions of this contribution will have to take into account a variety of factors such as the nature of the colonialism practised in a given region, the ultimate motives and interests the colonial rulers had in mind while initiating studies of the region’s past, the world-view of those who actually conducted the studies and, of course, the time-depth and character of the past available for study. Moreover, evaluations of the role played by Europeans, far from remaining static, will undergo periodic revisions resulting from changes experienced in academic perspectives in general, and even changes in the world order from time to time. ……..

The question of the social relevance of the study of the past is one which historians and archaeologists in India can no longer overlook. Public attitudes towards the study of the past, the role of the mass media and museums in bringing knowledge of the past to society at large, and the use of the study of the past for discussion and the display of power in professional institutions are other questions which, sooner or later, Indian archaeology will have to confront.  Did the study of India’s archaeological heritage exert any influence of its own? The answer is once again positive. The magnificent discoveries of the last century, involving scores of prehistoric and historic sites, won for the country a high degree of esteem and respect among European archaeologists—an attitude of mind which many parts of Asia and Africa clearly failed to evoke.

Observation: Whatever, he wanted to convey, he could have told openly without mincing words. Moreover, most of the audience was very indifferent and they were not listening to him also.

Alok Kumar Kanungo headed the next session and the following presented their papers:

she has been studying this for many years……………………………..

Sharada srinivasan on iron and steel of Tamilagam: The iron and steel artefacts uncovered from the sites Adichanallur, Tamilnadu, Kadebakele, Karnataka and other places in southern India span the early phases of occupation radiocarbon dated from 800 to 400 BCE. These site has been excavated by a collaborative team from the respective Departments of Archaeology. The site was occupied from at least the early 1st millennium BC until the early centuries CE. Radiocarbon dates from the Iron Age period span from c.800 to 400 BCE and it is thought that iron/steel artefacts from these levels may rank among the very early well-dated examples of higher carbon steels. Cementation, case hardening and forge hardening are several terms in use to describe essentially similar processes. Wrought iron produced by the bloomery process could be carburised by heating it in charcoal for a long time. Typically this lasted several days, resulting in the solid-state absorption or dissolution of carbon into the wrought iron. This process is very slow because it is a reaction in the solid state. Pieces or sheets of wrought iron were packed with charcoal or other organic materials into a closed refractory container and heated between 1050-1100ºC from five to seven days. This process could result in the incorporation of varying degrees of carbon between 0.6 and 2%. It would have resulted in a heterogeneous steel of intermediate composition. Such diffusion is less likely to have resulted in a homogenous steel of higher carbon content. The steel thus produced could have been evened out by hammering, annealing, and folding the steel many times over. There was always a significant decrease in the carbon content away from the exposed surfaces. The stringers from the slag remained in the final steel causing brittleness.

Cholas’ bronzes………………….

Decarburisation dilutes the carbon content of cast iron. This can involve the mixing of wrought iron with molten cast iron. In China, the heating of bundles of cast and wrought iron together followed by forging and heating led to complete diffusion and  homogenisation. This would result in the partial melting of cast iron. Some carbon would diffuse into wrought iron that was repeatedly forged and heated again. The finery process breaks cast iron into small lumps, followed by heating to high temperartures in an oxidising air blast. The iron melts and carbon burns out as carbon dioxide and the decarburised iron droplets sink to form a bloom below the hot zone.

technical details explained……

It is generally believed that the original crucible steel-making technique was developed primarily in India leading to wootz steel. The use of iron was well established in south Indian megalithic cultures by at least about 1100 BC at sites such as Hallur in Karnataka. The megalithic site of Kodumanal, ca 300 BC, in Tamil Nadu may have been a site for ferrous crucible processing. After the forging of swords at high temperatures, an important step in hardening blades lies in their being quenched. This step is important because it enables a martensitic transformation to take place in the steel, which contributes to improved toughness and strength. One of the methods that Indian blacksmiths seem to have used for quenching, is to plunge the red hot blade into the tree trunk of a banana or plantain tree, one of the most universal of Indian trees which is full of sap, which was followed by cooling it overnight.

traditional manufacture of bronze, brass, …….articles……………………

Tamil Nadu Process: Some of the earliest metallurgical finds to date are those found in Adichanallur, Tamil Nadu – now stored in the Government Museum, Chennai. For her research, Prof Srinivasan studied these artefacts quite closely. She studied these metallic artefacts under an electron microscope, only to find an intricate, perforated design that could only be achieved through the use of sophisticated metallurgical processes. This means those who made the alloy not only knew exactly what they were doing but had perfected the method through trial and error. Previously, alloys like these were thought to be made either by fusing cast iron and wrought iron or by adding carbon to wrought iron through various means. But it has been difficult to find clinching evidence to prove with certainty which technique made the ultrahigh-carbon steel of the Tamils all those centuries ago. she states that her research has indicated that this type of high carbonaceous steel could only be achieved by packing the iron blooms with carbonaceous materials like wood, and firing the furnace at high temperatures, not less than 1,400°C for a long time.

Her field study……..

Mel Siruvalur: An alloy of copper and tin, the bronze from the forges in Adichanallur was also rated very highly.Adichanallur’s beta bronze had a very high percentage of tin, some 23%. This composition increases the malleability of the alloy, which can then be worked on to a considerable degree at high temperatures, followed by rapidly cooling, improving the tensile strength and tonality of the bronze……… they could create alloys with such high proportions of tin was by heavy hot-forging. That is, the temperature of the crucible in which the alloy was made had to be very high and consistent…..Investigations on the crucible fragments of Mel Siruvalur have shown that these crucibles are made of ‘hypereutectoid’ or ultra-high carbon steel.

Smriti Haricharan – Archaeological landscape of Amur: The site Amoor / Amur near Siruthavur has been in news very often, as it is continuously vandalized by many people, regularly for various reasons. The archaeologists used to lament and the media used to carry even full page articles, but, such vandalism continues. Incidentally, the archaeological research also continues with the site coming out with more and moe papers being presented at the international conferences and even published in the form of books.

Siruthavur Siruthavoor lies in Kanchipuram district, situated along the northern coast of Tamilnadu, India and is adjacent to the Bay of Bengal. The area in which the Iron Age-Early Historic burials are located is bounded by the Siruthavoor lake (tank) towards the south and a hillock of around 31m asl towards the north, with a smaller hillock (below 15m asl) to the east. The geology of the area is represented by Archaean to Precambrian crystalline formations such as charnockite, granite gneiss and ultrabasic rocks, overlain by Mesozoic and Tertiary sedimentary rocks (Rajmohan & Elango 2005). Most of the megalithic burials at the site are built using charnockite, granite gneiss and lateritic rocks. Exploration, mapping and excavation were conducted at the site from 2007–2009. Although innumerable burials have been destroyed at this site by sand quarrying, over 500 burials remained during the survey. Of these, 166 were of the cairn circle type, 141 were dolmens, 157 were dolmens within a stone circle, 38 were cists and 57 were of cist-withcircle type. The urn burials were harder to map since most of them have no stone appendage visible on the surface. Eight burials were excavated. Burial 1 was a cairn circle type; burial form and fabric difficult. Most of the anthropogenic disturbance of the burials at Siruthavoor was in the area around burials 2 and 3. A large percentage of what remains of the burials in this area indicates that they were cist burials. The surface material collected is similar to the material excavated in burial 3 including iron objects, carnelian beads and pottery (Figure 8). Between burials 2 and 3 and burials 4, 5 and 6, large boulders are indicative of possible dolmen type burials, but the surface finds here are very sparse.

points out the dating methods…

how laboratory dates differ………………….

Morethekoi – on-line: When potteries were sent for TL dating, different dates are obtained. Therefore, samples from the same layer, were sent for C-14, they gave different dates. Thus, both methods do not tally. He was pointing out that the TL dates given for potteries do not tally with the dating of the objects found at the same stratigraphy who dates are found to be different as dated by C-14. In other words, the dating by these two do not tally with each other. Therefore, error analysis done to correct the error that is supposed to have occurred in dating the pottery.  

this or that…………………….source…………………

which it right or wrong?…..

error analysis to rectify differing dates for the same sample…………………………………

these are the dates………………………………………………………..rectifications…………………………..

.

Observation: When lot of things are talked about the scientific study of archaeology, multi-disciplinary approach, engineers started studying archaeological objects, etc., it is right time that the details of samples recovered from the excavated sites sent to the laboratories, results obtained etc., should be available to the public, as different claims are made in the media by the involved. Many times, such media reports are exaggerated and turning out to be manipulated also. Therefore, transparency should be maintained.

their team with foreign links……………………..

G. Kumaresan – on-line: He presented his paper on “Exploring the Genomics, proteomics and organic molecules of the excavations from Tamilnadu.” Says that they are having a laboratory to study the excavated materials from Keeladi, Sivalai, Konthagai etc. He was explaining about the team, advisors, consultants, the laboratory etc with slides.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

14-03-2023.

“Innovation of Iron Technology and its Impact on Indian Society”: Two day UGC Seminar held at Kuppam University on February 25th and 26th 2019 [1]

“Innovation of Iron Technology and its Impact on Indian Society”: Two day UGC Seminar held at Kuppam University on February 25^th and 26^th 2019 [1]

Dravidian University campus, location – Google map

Guest House and VC bungalow – Dravidian University campus, location – Google map

Coming to Kuppam again: The two day national seminar on “Innovation of Iron Technology and its Impact on Indian Society” was held at the premises of Dravidian University on February 25^th and 26^th 2019 under the auspices of the department of History, Archaeology and culture. I am visiting this campus after the APHC held in 2011 and find that the station, the road leading to the University campus etc., have changed much. The railway station has been 10 kms away from the University campus. It has been the constituency of Chandrababu Naidu, now CM of Andhra Pradesh. As age increases, the feeling that places are also appearing to be away from us. Ratnam, driver came from the University and took me to the University campus, where I was accommodated at the guest house. I noted that already, several scholars had arrived. The foundation stone for the “Faculty House” was laid by the then Governr C. Rangarajan on 29-07-2000 and it was inaugurated by N. Chandababu Naidu on 07-12-2002 after the building completion.

The foundation stone for the “Faculty House” / Guest House was laid by the then Governor           C. Rangarajan on 29-07-2000

The Faculty House was inaugurated by N. Chandababu Naidu on 07-12-2002 after the building completion.

Guest House gate and the road on a hillock with trees

The banner of the “Iron technology” seminar at the entrance of the Guest House

Another entrance of the Guest House

VC bungalow after the Guest House

The Dravidian University, profile[1]: The Dravidian University was established in 1997 at the tri-lingual junction, Kuppam in Chittoor District, A. P., 8 k.m away from Tamil Nadu, 4 km, away from Karnataka and hardly about four hours drive to Kerala, to research Dravidian languages. The Campus is named Srinivasa Vanam as a token of reverence for the grace of Lord Venkateswara, Sri Srinivasa and for the benevolent grant extended by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams for afforestation of the campus, spreading over 1093 acres with beautiful greenery and huge and small impressive hillocks presenting a typical rock garden[2]. The Dravidian University was established through a Legislature Act of Andhra Pradesh and conceived as an Inter – State Institution. The neighboring Governments of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala have extended initial support which enabled the University to take up constructions of Vemana Bhavan, Thiruvalluvar Bhavan, Narayanaguru Bhavan and Basava Bhavan remembering the great Social Saints of the South who enshrined the language cultures with their immortal thoughts. The University located in a serene rural setting with pleasant greenery spread over the spacious campus of about 1000 acres endowed with huge deposits of granite, giving a picture of rock garden, is one of the most ideally suited institution for quite and dedicated studies and research harmonizing the individual, both internally and externally. The campus absolutely pollution free.

A scientific look at the circular: The following note appeared in the circular circulated: “Historians believe that the Egyptians were the first to work with small amounts of iron about five or six thousand years ago. The metal they used was apparently extracted from meteorites. Evidence of what is believed to be the first example of iron mining and smelting points to the ancient Hittite culture in what is now Turkey. Because iron was a far superior material for the manufacture of weapons and tools than any other known metal, its production was a closely guarded secret. However the basic technique was simple and the use of iron gradually spread. As usual as it was compared to other materials, iron had disadvantages. The quality of tools made from it was highly variable, depending upon the region from which the iron ore was taken and the method used to extract the iron. The chemical nature of the changes taking place during the extraction were not understood; in particular, the importance of carbon to the metal’s hardness. Practices varied widely in different parts of the world.”

1. It is not known why historians should believe something, anything of any historical fact.
2. “The metal they used was apparently extracted from meteorites” – so there is no question of Egyptians using smelted iron.
3. “Evidence of what is believed to be the first example of iron mining and smelting points to the ancient Hittite culture in what is now Turkey” – for this also, historians have to believe, then, they can consider the recent claims of Indian iron going back to 6000 BCE.
4. The following points are scientifically and technically incorrect:
   1. “The quality of tools made from it was highly variable, depending upon the region from which the iron ore was taken and the method used to extract the iron.” – everything can be varied, till it was standardized. The Indian wootz proved standardized steel manufactured distinguishable from others.
   2. “The chemical nature of the changes taking place during the extraction were not understood” – the chemical changes occur only due to the addition of chemicals for purification etc.
   3. “…. in particular, the importance of carbon to the metal’s hardness. Practices varied widely in different parts of the world.” – The addition of Carbon to iron only makes it get converted into steel, so that it could be used for the manufacture of tools etc.
5. As for as the alloy making, % of chemical added etc., for the manufacture of high tensile carbon steels, Ultra high carbon steels etc.

A clear understanding of iron and steel and their technology thereof should be known clearly before writing anything about “Iron technology.” An “Iron processing Machine” picture appeared on the front page of the circular. Actually, it was “The original diagram of Su’s book showing the inner workings of his clock tower,” reportedly manufactured by Su Song (1020-1101 CE), a medieval Chinese scientist[3]. As by 12^th century, the Indian iron and steel products were well known all over the world, an Indian furnace could have been depicted instead. The British have accepted that the Europe derived iron and tell technology from the Indians[4]. Actually, as the subject matter involves technical nature, an engineer or metallurgist could have consulted for presenting facts.

Emeneau House, the Guest House

Emeneau Guest House – where the seminar was held: The seminar was organized at the hall of the “Emeneau Guest House,” with the chief guest – Prof Sudhakaa Yedla, VC of the Dravidian University. The key-note address was delivered by Dr N. Rajendran, VC of Alagappa University and the “Guest of Honour” was Dr S. Jaikishan, Bhawan’s New Science College, Hyderabad. Facilitation address was given by Prof S. Penchalaiah, Registrar of the University. Prof N. Kanakaratnam, convener of the seminar proposed “vote of thanks”.  Dr Aravind Kumar compered the proceedings. He introduced the VIPs and welcomed all drawing attention to “Iron man of India” and his statue made of iron. Also he had drawn the attention of Swami Vivekananda, “Men of iron and nerves of steel.” N. Kanakaratnam explained how the theme of the seminar was conceived. When he visited many temples, he used to think as to how the stones were cut into required sizes, how all processes could have been possible during the ancient and medieval periods, when such technology was not there. However, now, new archaeological evidences give date of iron to thousands of BCE period.

Aravind Kumar welcomed the VIPs

Sudhakaa Yedla’s speech was apt and highly meaningful (11.00 to 11.35 am):  He pointed out that the seminars should be dialogue and much discussion and interaction should be there. The youngsters should ask a lot of questions and then only, they could know more details.  Innovation involves inquisitiveness and curiosity. It may involve a series of failures also, but, from such failures also one can learn. Japanese do that, as I have seen in their programmes. Westerners always opposed the zero, “The Biography of a Dangerous Idea” is a book by American author and journalist Charles Seife. The book offers a comprehensive look at number 0 and its controversial role as one of the great paradoxes of human thought and history. Heliocentric theory was also opposed. But, Vedic literature point out that all planets go around the Sun. One should think with innovative ideas, as otherwise, environmental degradation and reason depletion affect man. I have listened to many during the last 35 years, but, only few could talk like him with depth of meaning and substance. In fact, his entire speech could be included in the book proposed, if any.

Rajendran (11.36 to 12.03 hrs): He started with Herodotus, “Father of History” observed that though India had been literary society, large population was illiterate. As compared to west, the literature society – knowledge system was not spread. Newton could think different about the falling of apple on the ground. He also mentioned about the European scientists’ interest in history, mentioning Newtons, “A Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms amended”. Casteism challenged to remove literature from the society. Kosambi connected iron with the rise of empire, as during wars, iron weapons must have been used[5]. Magadha controlled iron and as well as agriculture, a the army had to be fed and accordingly, the agriculture also must have flourished. In other words, the weapons of war and agriculture went together in production. Mentioning the episode of Trichy Teppakulam, he stressed that historians should have technical knowledge also, besides historical interpretation.

Penchalaiah (12.06 to 12.15 Hrs): Though he spoke for minutes, his speech had been philosophical but meaningful. Claiming that he had been a student of philosophy even today, pointed out that “philosophy is mother of all subjects.” Science can be divided into two – visible science and invisible science. There were many scientists before Aristotle. So also, before Vedic literature, Agamic literature was there. In our blood iron has been there i.em hemoglobin. He claimed that he knew the secret of Sanskrit, as he studied it. All historians are philosophers only. All scientists are philosophers, but all philosophers are not scientists.

Jaikishan was facilitated

During inauguration, the audience

During inauguration, the audience

Jaikishan (12.16 to 1.30 pm): He claimed that the Telangana Wootz iron production goes back to earlier periods, more than 10,000 years. Iron objects were introduced in Andhra Pradesh between 750 and 500 BCE. An early example of an object which had been hardened through quenching is dated to 810 BCE from Bihar. For example, from the megalithic site of Kadebakele, c. 700 BCE, tiny rings were identified which seem to have been made of pearlitic steel. Kodachadri, Moookambika temple evidence gives 375 CE. Orissa temples used iron beams exhaustively in many places. There were 37-40 iron beams recovered at Konark temple. Forge welded cast with 0.5% phosphorus gives anti-rustic property, he claims. He was showing examples of iron slag, crucibles etc., found on the groud at remote places, but, he did not any examples of excavated ones. He with his colleagues collected Wootz crucibles from three districts of Northern Telangana[6] ( Karimnagar, Adilabad and Nizamabad) and analysed using x-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). The results indicated the wootz samples have almost the same chemical composition[7]. Such papers have been published in 2007 giving emphasis to Telangana[8]. Therefore, how these could be dated by anything is not known.  Moreover, the samples found on the earth could be dated to recent times also, as many black-smiths work and leave the crucibles, slags etc., as they could not be used for further work. The slag blocks used for the compound wall and other construction has been common, as tones of such slags are dumped road side and remote places by the bloom, billet and ingot manufacturers.  They cannot be attributed to any antiquity.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

01-03-2019

[1] http://www.dravidianuniversity.ac.in/university-profile.php

[2] http://www.dravidianuniversity.ac.in/contactus.php

Guest House phone nos: 08570 – 278362

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Su_Song

[4] Jean Le Coze, On the question of possible transfer of steel technology from India to Europe through Muslim middle East, Indian J. of History of Science, 42(3) (2007) 337-375.

[5]  If the IVC and the Gangetic examples were taken into account, the pre-Mauryan empire has to be taken into account.

[6] S. Laxmi Srinivasa Rao and S. Jaikishan Analysis of Wootz Steel Crucible Furnace Green Slag Samples and Core Materials Collected From Northern Telangana, in International Journal of Computer & Mathematical Sciences IJCMS ISSN 2347 – 8527 Volume 7, Issue 2 February 2018, pp.487-491.

[7] http://academicscience.co.in/admin/resources/project/paper/f201802101518271914.pdf

[8] R. Balasubramaniam, Anubhav Pandey and S. Jaikishan, Analysis of Wootz steel crucibles from North Telangana, Indian J. of History of Science, 42(4) (2007) 649-671.

460. Jaikishan, Survey of iron and wootz steel production sites in Northern Telangana, , Indian J. of History of Science, 42(3) (2007) 445-460.