Metallurgy

METALLURGY

1. History of Metallurgy

Stone age people used rough stones as their weapons. Later, in the Neo-lithic period, they developed tools such as slightly banded stones and then sharp weapons. The fall of ore into fire was the beginning of the transition from Stone Age to Metal Age Civilizations.

Yes, the researchers believe that the beginning of the Metal Age Civilization was when the soil mixed with the iron ore fell into the fire and melted and cooled to become wrought iron.

2. Definition – Mettallurgy

Metallurgy is the scientific field that studies the material science, engineering, physical, chemical properties, etc., of metals, intermetallic compounds and mixed metals called alloys.

(or)

Metallurgy is a technique generally concerned with the extraction and utilization of elements from their ores.

3. The Origin of the Word Iron

During the Sangam period, certain elements with specific properties were called 'Pon'.

Proofs: 1. Thirukkural 931, 888

The word 'pon' found in the above-noted kurals, means iron.

Generally, 'pon' is a shiny metal. If it turns pale when melted in fire, it is called silver and if it turns red, it is called copper and if it is black, it is called Karumpon'.

Proof: [Seevaga Sinthamani: 104]

4. Application of Metallurgy

Humans developed their basic manufacturing tools from naturally occurring minerals. Copper is said to be the first period of metal use. Lead, bronze and iron represented the next phase after copper. Man who extracted copper in metallurgy made various products by his technical skill. Copper is a readily available and low melting metal. Lead was found to be a stronger metal because copper was more malleable. They mixed lead and copper and made bronze.

Kammiyar

Those who prepared things in metals like gold, silver, copper, bronze, etc., were called Kammiyars.

5. Extraction of Iron from its ore

Extracting iron from iron ore is more difficult than extracting copper or tin from copper or silver ore. The process of iron extraction appears to have been invented by the Indian Civilizations during the Iron Age around 1200 BC.

The history of the development of iron metallurgy can be traced back to various past cultural civilizations. Iron is known to have been used in various civilizations including Iran, Egypt, Nubia, Europe, China and Japan.

Evidence:

In the application of blast furnace, cast iron was used. Along with the hydrological gradients, evidence of the use of the accordion has been found in China.

Extraction of metallic ores from mines, extraction of metals, process development and complex processes have been proved in the literature of Sangam period.

Proof

The 16th Century book The. Ra. Metallica, written by Gyarchu Agaricalli describes it.

On the high technological techniques used in tin and bronze metallurgy in the Iron Age at Adhichanallur, Professor Saratha Srinivasan has scientifically explained. These metallurgical field evidences, not housed in the Chennai museum are considered to be among the best specimens ever found in the metallurgical excavations.

Proof

Two research papers published by Professor Saratha Srinivasan of National Institute of Higher Studies, Bangalore.

In her research paper, the professor has pointed out the evidence of high organic iron production at Melsiruvalur in South Arcot district of Tamil Nadu.

6. Technology in Metallurgy during Sangam Age

By examining these metallic objects with an electron microscope, the properties of the metals are known and the technology involved in the formation is known.

Proof:

Professor Saratha Srinivasan in a related study at Adichanallur.

In this proof, she mentions about the types of bonze cast with very fine engravings of iron. They belong to the period 100 BC to 50 BC.

1. Gold

Gold is the most ancient metal used in human history. It is not affected by conditions and does not react with other chemicals. So, it is found in nature in its unique elemental stale.

Evidence

Small quantity of natural gold are known to have been found in the stone caves of Esupania during the Sangam period before 4000 BC.

Elements such as silver, copper, zinc and iron are found to have been used to a certain extent in the early cultures.

2. Copper

Evidence of copper separation has been found at Belovoth site. The copper found here belongs to the Kodalinga Civilization and is known to date back to 5500 BC.

3. Bronze Age

Discreet metals were known to have been discovered in the 3500 BCs. The fusion of copper and silver to create bronze, a protective metal sparked a major cultural change. This period is called Bronze Age.

4. Beta Bronze

This type of bronze is east at high temperature. It is called 'Beta Bronze'. In metallurgy, the 'intermetallic compound' state between two metals is known as the 'Beta State'.

Evidence

Sangam bronze objects found at Adhichanallur belong to Beta Bronze type.

This Beta Bronze is cast with copper and silver at very high temperature. Among these, especially the highest grade Beta Bronze made with 23% silver has greater strength.

5. Egyptian Weapons

Egyptian weapons made from meteorite derived iron around 3000 BC were celebrated as knives from heaven.

Evidence

Certain metals such as lead, zinc and copper have been produced by smelting ores at high temperatures in blast furnaces.

The first evidence of metal extraction production dates back to the 5th and 6th Centuries BC.

Evidence

Evidence of this was found in the archaeological sites such as Maidanbec and Ploklin in Serbia.