The First Record of The Archeoastronomical Bind Rune Associated with Petroglyphs in Danigala Circular Rock, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Danigala Rock is a unique geological site situated near Kandegama at Polonnaruwa district. The aerial view of the rock shows a semi-circular shape, which was affected by geological weathering. The northwest slope part of Danigala inselberg has interesting petroglyphs discovered in Chithra Lena (7°41'0.44"N | 81°12'45.66"E). These symbols are relatively new and, for the first time, discovered in Sri Lanka during an archaeoastronomical survey conducted by Eco Astronomy Sri Lanka in a corporation with Central Cultural Fund (Polonnaruwa-Alahana Parivena Project). These petroglyphs, now perceived and assessed as art, are mute science prints of ancient cultural vestiges of a bygone society. The predominant forms found are partially similar with few forms found in some sites in Sri Lanka, but with distinct differences in the engraving process. Notably, samples of the bind rune coding of Danigala petroglyphs are quite similar to bind rune’s symbols of Shamanic cultures. Besides, the engraving technique is remarkably similar to the technique used in the petroglyphs of Edakkal Caves in India. This paper is an attempt to document and analyze this bind rune coding in purpose to uncover the archaeo-astronomical meaning and the historical beliefs.