The export of ingots

Jens Nordlunde · 1st February 2007, 04:30 PM

It is known, that an enormous amount of ingots were exported from India and Sri Lanka, from very early times. The export went to countries like Arabia, Yemen, and East Africa. The Romans and Egyptians knew about the Indian steel, as well as many others. We read about the watered blades from Arabia, but so far I have only read about the very good Yemen blades, but not about watering, and what about the ingots exported to East Africa? Does this mean that they made the blades, but did not etch them, or what?

Emanuel · 2nd February 2007, 05:16 PM

Hello Jens,

If Sri Lanka also produced crucible steel, would there be examples of kastanes piha kaetta with watered blades? I wasn't aware that these weapons had such steel.
Regards,
Emanuel

Jens Nordlunde · 2nd February 2007, 08:52 PM

Hi Emanuel,

The export of iron, from Sri Lanka and south India is well established, so I don’t see why wootz should not have been used, when making kastanes piha kaetta blades, but I have never seen any – maybe the owners have not tried to have a look, or maybe wootz was not used for these blades, for some reason or other – I really don’t know.

1st February 2007, 04:30 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	The export of ingots It is known, that an enormous amount of ingots were exported from India and Sri Lanka, from very early times. The export went to countries like Arabia, Yemen, and East Africa. The Romans and Egyptians knew about the Indian steel, as well as many others. We read about the watered blades from Arabia, but so far I have only read about the very good Yemen blades, but not about watering, and what about the ingots exported to East Africa? Does this mean that they made the blades, but did not etch them, or what?

2nd February 2007, 05:16 PM	#2
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hello Jens, If Sri Lanka also produced crucible steel, would there be examples of kastanes piha kaetta with watered blades? I wasn't aware that these weapons had such steel. Regards, Emanuel

2nd February 2007, 08:52 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Emanuel, The export of iron, from Sri Lanka and south India is well established, so I don’t see why wootz should not have been used, when making kastanes piha kaetta blades, but I have never seen any – maybe the owners have not tried to have a look, or maybe wootz was not used for these blades, for some reason or other – I really don’t know.