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.
ping
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.
Crustoleum?
Correction, ukku, not ukka.
If there's a "fire & forge" ping list, please add me to it.
[I have a thing for blacksmiths]....:)
I thought they already figured this out?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1362059/posts#comment?q=1
Probably recast from the alien spaceships that are mentioned in ancient Indian texts.
Thought this might interest you.
I've read about this pillar before.
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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.
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
Those were knocked down when those prehistoric atomic bombs went off.
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