Browsing by Author "Vidanapathirana, P."

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Change of topography of Sri Lanka through time: an interactive web based tool
    (University of Kelaniya, 2013) Vidanapathirana, P.; Piyadasa, A.
    The cultural landscape is one of the main sources when interpreting archaeological evidence. This means the knowledge of change of landscape through time plays a vital role in interpreting the archaeological evidence and events happened in the past. The knowledge of topography during different times in past leads to identification of landscape of events happened in past. It helps to interpret the past events more accurately and understand the different landscape dynamics in past, which were contributed to these events. The sources of the historical topography including inscriptions, ancient manuscripts, ancient maps and plans, cultural landscape, etc. The information in these sources are available in different languages, scripts and representation is based on the regional knowledge. These sources use same symbols and icons to represent the different objects or vice versa. This causes difficulties to Archaeologists as well as Historians to understand the historical topography as it needs knowledge of different domains to get a clear understanding. The aim of this study was to develop a tool for researches in Archaeology and History to simplify the process of identification historical topography easily. The primary data was collected using ancient maps, plans, contemporary records, monuments and other relevant landmarks, inscriptions, ancient manuscripts and field exploration. During the field exploration, GPS coordinates of identified locations were recorded. The reference for these topography were identified after a literature survey. The information identified in the data collection process were recorded using a database. The data were captured into the database in a manner which allows users to query and fetch information easily and fast. They information is presented in different ways including an interactive map with timeline. This interactive map provides valuable information to researches on how the historical topography changed over the time. A separate section of this tool includes the different symbologies and icons used in ancient maps with a description. The tool developed is a web based tool using open source technologies with open access to the information.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Highway system in Ancient Sri Lanka
    (The International Conference on Land Transportation, Locomotive Heritage and Road Culture - 2017, 2017) Vidanapathirana, P.
    Historical information about the ancient road network of Sri Lanka is restricted to random records encountered in historical documents and information recorded as a result of research carried out during the British administration. This study is based on a recent research conducted with special attention towards the technical aspects of the ancient road system and its expansion over the island. An attempt is also made to reconstruct the road system that existed from the third century BC up to 13th century AD. Modern research techniques are applied in identifying technical aspects and the expansion of the road system that is in discussion. Political stability, strength of the ruling power, economic prosperity and the establishment, and the spared of religious institutions contributed to the sustainability and expansion of a developed road network during the period. Technical know-how and the expertise that had been applied and made use of in constructing road system in contemporary South Asian countries could be identified within the national road network in ancient Sri Lanka too. Geographically Sri Lanka being an island, it had maintained a close relationship with several international sea routs. Hence as an infrastructural facility, a road network connecting cities and urban areas to inward places had developed. Furthermore island had maintained a close relationship with long distance sea routs that facilitated an international trade. That helped the existence of a systematic road network expanding towards regional and peripheries from the main cities.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item