When one studies beads and trade of ancient south India, one also wonders at what scale this trade and manufacture was conducted. Through some research and mathematics a staggering figure emerges!
"Three trenches were laid in the bead mound to identify various technological aspects of glass making. Three floor levels were identified in 1.5 m cultural deposit dating between 1st century AD and 3rd century AD. There are nearly 2000 glass beads of various sizes and colours collected from 50 sq.m digging area. The 50 sq.m amounts to 0.25 % of the total bead mound. If one exposes the entire mound of 5.5 ha. area, one may encounter with minimum of a million beads. These too are the refuses left by our ancestors as the best ones were being used or sold. "
- http://heritageindiatrust.org/Porunthal.aspx
This is an excerpt from an excavation report of the Porunthal Excavations. This is an astounding figure. If what is being excavated are just the unsold and rejected beads then one can only speculate what the actual quantities manufactured might be.
It is said that the Romans bought 50 Million Sestertius worth of goods each year from India. Roman trade with India was its peak between 50 BC - 150 AD. This is approximately a 200 year period. 50 Million Sestertius in today's value is approximately 500 million euros. This volume would have had a profound impact on Indian trade and society of that time.
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