Steelmaking in India - new evidence from microscopic and archaeometallurgical analysis from middle Ganga plain,...

The present study deliberates on the archaeometallurgical examination of 2300 years old excavated iron nail from India's middle Ganga plain of Balirajgarh. The nail was subjected to multianalytical investigations in order to determine the raw materials used, manufacturing technology and preservation state. The combined analytical techniques optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX), Vickers hardness and X-ray diffractometry shed light towards the characterisation and use of the iron artefact. Special attention was paid for qualitative and quantitative analysis of slag inclusions, metal matrix and corrosion products. The presence of heterogeneous microstructure and inclusion of impurities suggests that nail has been produced through the direct process and work hardened. The noncorroded nail is made of hypereutectoid steel and used for building purpose. The study is important to understand the role of technology in the evolution of cultural changes in India that also provides archaeometric data on the method used in the forging work.