A research team led by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has successfully applied a novel Krypton-81 isotopic dating technique to refine the chronology of the 'Copper Hoard' sites in the Chambal Valley. This breakthrough allows for the dating of copper artifacts and associated sediments with sub-century precision, overcoming the limitations of traditional carbon-14 dating in inorganic contexts.
The findings indicate that advanced metallurgical practices in Central India emerged as early as 3200 BCE, suggesting a much earlier transition to the Chalcolithic period than previously documented. The study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, provides new insights into the independent development of copper-arsenic alloying techniques in the Indian subcontinent.