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More research needed on Delhi Iron Pillar: Experts
Press Trust of India ^ | March 13, 2005

Posted on 04/09/2005 1:26:50 AM PDT by nickcarraway

The Delhi Iron Pillar, which has withstood corrosion for over 1,600 years, continues to attract the attention of archaeologists and scientists who want to undertake a systematic study to unfold the secret behind its strength.

A panel of scientists from across the country has recommended that the Government allow research on the pillar, a symbol of Indian metallurgical excellence, to ascertain its age, as well as for conservation of its underground part and the passive film that has preserved it through the ages.

"The Archaeological Survey of India has agreed to allow the use of well-established non-invasive techniques to ascertain as to when was the pillar built and its material aspects. But the efficacy of the techniques should be established by testing other ancient iron objects such as Iron Pillar at Dhar and Iron Beams at Konark," Director, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Dr Baldev Raj, who was a member of the panel that made the recommendations, said.

The panel had gathered here to review the status of scientific research on the pillar and make recommendations to the Government to initiate systematic scientific studies to gain more information about it.

Earlier studies, beginning in 1961, have thrown some light on the composition and the microstructure of the "rustless wonder", but difference versions exist on the scientific dating of the pillar, Professor R Balasubramaniam, a scientist at IIT Kanpur who has conducted extensive research on the pillar, said.

The author has covered the pillar's dimensional analysis, manufacturing methodology, corrosion resistance by formation of protective surface film, soil corrosion in the buried region and its astronomical significance.

Balasubramaniam also claims that the original site of the iron pillar was at Udaygiri in central India.

"Ascertaining the facts about the pillar, using authentic scientific methods, will help the country use lost knowledge for common good. Larger aim of this exercise should be to utilise the knowledge in the country's development," he said.

"Gleaning information about such heritages not only gives us an opportunity to boast of our rich tradition but also helps us apply that knowledge."

Veteran scientist and author of the book The Rustles Wonder, Professor TR Anantharaman said, "Accelerator Mass Spectroscopy should be used to ascertain its age which would help historians establish occurrence of events systematically."

Some scientists, however, feel that carbon dating methods would give the age of the source of carbon and not the pillar.

"No doubt, the dates of construction of monuments are important but equally important is to use the knowledge that helped the pillar withstand corrosion and apply it in ongoing alloy developmental processes," Balasubramaniam added.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 18thdynasty; amarna; archaeology; cobalt; ggg; godsgravesglyphs; history; india; meteoriticiron

1 posted on 04/09/2005 1:26:50 AM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: Canticle_of_Deborah; blam; SunkenCiv

ping


2 posted on 04/09/2005 1:27:24 AM PDT by nickcarraway (I'm Only Alive, Because a Judge Hasn't Ruled I Should Die...)
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To: nickcarraway

A little known factoid: the steel that was used to make Samurai swords and Damascus steel swords came from India. It was called wootz in English, and ukka in the country of origin, Karnataka.

At the time, the Hindus were the world's masters in making steel and iron.


3 posted on 04/09/2005 1:33:23 AM PDT by CobaltBlue (Extremism in the defence of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.)
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To: nickcarraway; MeekOneGOP; PhilDragoo; Happy2BMe; potlatch; ntnychik; Smartass


Crustoleum?


4 posted on 04/09/2005 1:34:28 AM PDT by devolve (WWII : http://pro.lookingat.us/WWII.html James Bond - 007 : http://pro.lookingat.us/007.5.html)
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To: CobaltBlue

Correction, ukku, not ukka.


5 posted on 04/09/2005 1:35:49 AM PDT by CobaltBlue (Extremism in the defence of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.)
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To: CobaltBlue
Country State of Karnataka.
6 posted on 04/09/2005 2:26:50 AM PDT by CarrotAndStick (The articles posted by me needn't necessarily reflect my opinion.)
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To: CobaltBlue

7 posted on 04/09/2005 2:28:36 AM PDT by CarrotAndStick (The articles posted by me needn't necessarily reflect my opinion.)
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To: CobaltBlue
Characteristic and unique swirl patterns of Damascus Steel, originally invented in ancient India.


8 posted on 04/09/2005 2:33:17 AM PDT by CarrotAndStick (The articles posted by me needn't necessarily reflect my opinion.)
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To: CarrotAndStick
The iron pillar of New Delhi is made from wootz "blooms."

Wootz

9 posted on 04/09/2005 2:44:08 AM PDT by CobaltBlue (Extremism in the defence of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.)
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To: CobaltBlue
A little known factoid: the steel that was used to make Samurai swords and Damascus steel swords came from India. It was called wootz in English, and ukka in the country of origin, Karnataka.

I didn't know that -- got any links?
10 posted on 04/09/2005 3:10:02 AM PDT by Cronos (Never forget 9/11)
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To: nickcarraway

If there's a "fire & forge" ping list, please add me to it.
[I have a thing for blacksmiths]....:)


11 posted on 04/09/2005 3:15:33 AM PDT by Salamander
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To: nickcarraway

I thought they already figured this out?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1362059/posts#comment?q=1


12 posted on 04/09/2005 3:55:10 AM PDT by Bostton1
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To: nickcarraway; SunkenCiv

Probably recast from the alien spaceships that are mentioned in ancient Indian texts.


13 posted on 04/09/2005 7:22:30 AM PDT by wildbill
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To: blam

Thought this might interest you.

I've read about this pillar before.


14 posted on 04/09/2005 8:31:49 AM PDT by little jeremiah (Resisting evil is our duty or we are as responsible as those promoting it.)
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To: nickcarraway; blam; FairOpinion; Ernest_at_the_Beach; SunkenCiv; 24Karet; 3AngelaD; ...
Thanks Nick, good update.
Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on, off, or alter the "Gods, Graves, Glyphs" PING list --
Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
The GGG Digest
-- Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)

15 posted on 04/09/2005 8:59:34 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Deviance or rebellion without consequences is conformity.)
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To: CobaltBlue

There was a substantial, advanced, brotherhood, and somewhat secretive metallurgical industry in the Middle East. The iron pillar is supposed to be of meteoric iron, as was all iron in the early days of the iron industry. Iron mining and refining was a later development due to Roman demand for military iron used by the legions.


16 posted on 04/09/2005 9:05:55 PM PDT by RightWhale (50 trillion sovereign cells working together in relative harmony)
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To: nickcarraway; blam

Mystery Of Delhi's Iron Pillar Unraveled
India Express | 7-18-2002
Posted on 03/13/2005 1:55:06 PM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1362059/posts


17 posted on 04/09/2005 9:09:03 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Deviance or rebellion without consequences is conformity.)
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To: wildbill

Those were knocked down when those prehistoric atomic bombs went off.


18 posted on 04/09/2005 9:31:38 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Deviance or rebellion without consequences is conformity.)
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Just updating the GGG information, not sending a general distribution.

To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. Thanks.
Please FREEPMAIL me if you want on or off the
"Gods, Graves, Glyphs" PING list or GGG weekly digest
-- Archaeology/Anthropology/Ancient Cultures/Artifacts/Antiquities, etc.
Gods, Graves, Glyphs (alpha order)

19 posted on 01/26/2007 10:40:06 PM PST by SunkenCiv ("In theory, theory and practice are the same, but in practice, they're not." -- John Rummel)
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