INDIAN STEEL A FORGOTTEN COMMODITY OF THE GREAT TRADE ROUTES Cover Image

INDIAN STEEL A FORGOTTEN COMMODITY OF THE GREAT TRADE ROUTES
INDIAN STEEL A FORGOTTEN COMMODITY OF THE GREAT TRADE ROUTES

Author(s): Marek Woźniak
Subject(s): Archaeology, Cultural history, Ancient World
Published by: Wydawnictwa Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: Indian steel; crucible steel; wootz; Damascus steel; Serica country; Tamil metalurgy

Summary/Abstract: Among numerous exotic goods carried along ancient trade routes the so-called Seric iron is one of the most mysterious and least known. According to ancient sources, it was imported from a half-mythical land of Serica. New discoveries in southern India suggest it should be identified with the kingdom of Chera (in modern Tamilnadu) which existed between 300 BC and AD 300. This metal, one type of which was the patterned Damascene steel, was used mainly in the production of high-quality weapons. From about the 3rd century AD local production centers of crucible steel emerged also outside India.

  • Issue Year: 1/2015
  • Issue No: XXIV
  • Page Range: 709-726
  • Page Count: 28
  • Language: English
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