ARS - 2007
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/165
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Item ජාතික උරුමය, රූපවාහිනී මාධ්යය භාවිතය හා දේශපාලනය(University of Kelaniya, 2007) Rajapaksha, S.; Namalgamuwa, H.; Adikari, G.; Gunawardhana, P.Item Do Terracotta Figurines Suggest a Burial Pattern?(University of Kelaniya, 2007) Gunawardhana, P.; Coningharn, R.; Adikari, G.; Katugampola, M.; Namalgamuwa, H.; Saldin, M.; Simpson, I.; Batt, C.Terracotta figurines were discovered extensively in the northern, north central and eastern dry zones of Sri Lanka. The discovered sites indicate that they arc closely connected with river basins, canals, tanks and agricultural landscapes (Deraniyagala, 1972). The fact that many of the sites were located in agricultural areas suggests terracotta figurines might have served as cult images due to their significance in the agricultural society. These figurines may be the offerings of the rural people who could not afford to dedicate more valuable items to the Gods. Possibly they may have acted as cult images of fertility in small shrines. The aim of this paper is to discuss the results of the excavation at Waragoda in Anuradhapura. This privately owned land is located I 00 meters away from the Y oda-ela left bank that flows into the Nuwara-weva in the Anuradhapura city centre. This site was identified by the Upper Malwatu Oya archaeological exploration project in 2007. In the same year a 1 x4 metre trench excavation was conducted adjoining the house as an archaeological rescue operation due to settler's decision to expand the house. The most common type of female and animal figurines found there represents a popular artistic form. The five female figurines which are sitting on the ship seem to have been made as two halves then joined together. Perhaps the heads were designed separately and connected to the figure showing classic techniques of production significant to this culture. The hairstyle and dress of the female figurines express the popular fashion and designs which may have existed in this culture. In addition to that the six vessels which were placed in a central position towards the north south direction plays a key role among the findings. Significantly male and female rock art faces engraved at Budugala in Ratnapura District also show a similar facial expression in terracotta. Most of the figurines were discovered on the surface level of the site. One of the main objectives of this excavation was to attempt to establish the chronological sequence of this culture. The figurines found from the site are in fragments as the objects were probably broken before the God after prayers. Then the figurines were accumulated in the shrine and carefully deposited into the grave beside the shrine.Item Havanvela: a Megalithic Cist Burial Site from the Matale District(University of Kelaniya, 2007) Saldin, M.; Adikari, G.; Gunawardhana, P.The megalithic mortuary complex of Sri Lanka falls primarily within the proto-historic period whose earliest manifestation in Sri Lanka is dated to 1000- 800 BC at Anuradhapura and Aligala shelter at Sigiriya (Deraniyagala 1992: 709-29, Karunaratne and Adikari 1994: 58). The megalithic burial tradition is one of the main features of this period although there is evidence of its survival to later periods as well (Seneviratne 1984). Havanvela is situated in close proximity to Galewela of the Matale District in the intermediary transitional eco zone. Preliminary investigations have revealed that Havanvela is a megalithic cist burial site. It is interesting to note that this burial is located in the Upper Kala Oya Region in close proximity to the cist burials of Ibbankatuva, Yatigalpotta and Anakatava. Of these sites Ibbankatuva is the only one to be assigned a radiocarbon range of 750- 400 BC. Hence it would be interesting to research the possibility of these sites being contemporary to each other especially considering the similarities in grave architecture. The Havanvela site is currently in danger of being destroyed du~ to the site being used as a general cemetery in modem times. The aim of this paper is to present a plan to protect and manage the heritage of this site in order to protect it from further destruction.Item Prehistoric Pitted Stone Tools: a Review of their Technology, Utilization and Interpretation(University of Kelaniya, 2007) Namalgamuva, H.; Adikari, G.The history of research into Sri Lankan prehistory spans O\ n CI hundred ) L':trs Cind have revealed scientific dates for prehistoric sites '' hich ranging Ji·om .2:'0.000 BP to .1.200- 2800 BP (Deraniyagala, 1992: 686-710). Pn:historic stone tools can be considered the main source of prehistoric research. And pitted stone tools are one component of the numerous types of stone tools discovered from Sri Lanka. The exact reason for this pitted feature is subject to much debate. The main aim of this paper is to discuss the technology. utilization and existing hypotheses (as well as their validation) with regard to these tools. Pitted stone tools disco\ered from Sri Lankan prehistoric sites; display either one. two, three or more pits on their outer surJ~tee. In some instances these pits are all found on one face ofthe tool, at others pits can he found on alll~1ccs of the tool (ibid). Such tools have been discovered in places such as \lurunkan. I hibolketiya of thL' Iranamadu Formation. the \\et zone caves of Batadombalcna. l·a-hiengala. Kitulgala Belilena in the Rathnapura area (also known as the Rathnapura deposits) and the dry zone sites of Sigiriya, Aligala and Potana (Deraniyagala. 1992 Karunaratne and Adikari. 1994). These tools have been classified as 109a and 109b in Dcraniyagala's (1992)stone tool classification. Investigations of Sri Lanka's prehistoric period thus far hm\ever have revealed only relatively few tools of this type. However there have been several hypotheses as to the probable utilization of these tools, such as their use as a fire drill, nut cracker etc (ibid). It has also been suggested that they were used as a hunting tool.