The Tamil Nadu government stated that carbon dating of excavated artefacts in the state dates evidence of iron use in India back to 4,200 years ago, based on an archaeological assessment.
Excavations site:Mayiladumparai near Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu.
Importance
It indicates the existence of agricultural activities 4000 years ago.
Scientists infer that deforestation took place only after humans began using iron because iron was stronger compared to copper.
Iron Usage
In 1979, use of iron was traced to 1300 BCE at Ahar in Rajasthan.
Later, samples at Bukkasagara in Karnataka, indicating iron production, were dated back to 1530 BCE.
The date was subsequently pushed back to 1700-1800 BCE with excavations finding evidence of iron smelting at Raipura in the Mid-Ganga valley.
The date was then pushed to 1900-2000 BCE based on investigations in sites at Malhar near Varanasi and Brahmagiri in North Karnataka.
