Archaeologists excavating a previously undocumented Mature Harappan settlement in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan have uncovered a sophisticated industrial metallurgy zone. The standout find is a unique "solar-aligned" smelting furnace designed with parabolic clay walls that researchers believe were used to concentrate heat for high-purity copper extraction. This discovery suggests that the Indus Valley civilization possessed a deeper understanding of thermal dynamics than previously recorded.
Alongside the furnace, the team unearthed dozens of refractory ceramic crucibles containing traces of tin and arsenic, indicating the intentional production of hard-wearing bronze alloys. Excavation director Dr. Ananya Sharma noted that the site’s proximity to ancient copper mines in the Aravalli range, combined with its specialized architecture, points to it being a high-tech export hub for precision tools and ornaments destined for Mesopotamian markets.