Metallurgy and Maritime Life: A Stratigraphic Analysis of Metal Craft at Pattanam (Southern India) (c. 300 BCE – 500 CE)

Uthara B.1*, Ratheesh Kumar RT2, and Pranjal Garg3

The Early Historic site of Pattanam (Southern India) on the Malabar Coast was a pivotal node in Indo- Roman maritime networks. While its role in long-distance exchange is well-documented, understanding the localised industrial and economic lifeways of this coastal community requires closer examination of its material culture. This study presents a standardised, depth-wise stratigraphic analysis of metal artefacts (iron, copper, lead, and gold) recovered from 37 excavation trenches at Pattanam to reconstruct its occupational and technological sequence. Quantitative analysis across 20-cm vertical intervals reveals a distinct clustering of artefacts between 100 - 200 cm depths, corresponding to the peak Early Historic occupation (c. 300 BCE - 500 CE). The co-occurrence of utilitarian iron tools, copper coins, lead scrolls, and gold ornaments, alongside metallurgical by-products like slag, strongly indicates localised primary or secondary metal processing and craft production. These findings underscore that Pattanam was not merely a transit point for maritime trade, but a dynamic coastal settlement with a robust internal economy. By mapping the vertical distribution of these materials, this study provides empirically grounded insights into the daily lifeways and technological adaptations of the settlement. Ultimately, the metallurgical profile of Pattanam reflects how coastal communities of the Early Historic Indian Ocean world integrated local craft traditions with broader hinterland and trans-oceanic economic networks.