S10-18

Numeric Archaeo-Metallurgical Analysis: A Study of the Metallurgy in Early Medieval Societies in West Bengal

National Institute of Technology Raipur, India

Archaeo-metallurgical analysis is associated with material science and metallurgical engineering studies. Combined these sciences can be used to study ancient metals and metallurgical processes like copper smelting, bronze crafts and copper-bronze alloying technology as well as metal and mineral transaction. Sometimes real world experiments are too expensive, too time consuming or almost impossible to undertake. Molecular Dynamics (MD) will provides a method whereby a complete understanding of the properties of a metal can be identified, before buying expensive lab equipment and before spending times on designing experiments. Molecular Dynamics (MD) is a computer simulation method for analyzing the physical movements of atoms and molecules. The atoms and molecules are allowed to interact for a fixed period of time, providing insights into the dynamic "evolution" of the system. The present study involves an analysis of mechanical properties of metal objects (Bronze) obtained from the very culturally rich archaeological site Moghalmari in West Bengal, India. More than ninety samples have been collected and tested. Numerical analysis provides a clear indication of the properties of the collected samples. Molecular dynamics (MD) aids in the ability to simulate the creation of a new metal object, thereby predicting a better quality of contemporary metal. The study of numerical analysis in Archaeo-metallurgical technology also helps us to know the cultural development and craftsmanship of the period, and to produce better metal in the present day.