His findings as an archaeologist are much treasured-by Sirisaman Wijetunga
Dr. Siran Upendra Deraniyagala
Source:Dailymirror
Dr. Siran Upendra Deraniyagala, son of the late well-known Paleontologist, P.E.P. Deraniyagala, was the distinguished Archaeologist, who put Sri Lanka on the map of the world in Pre- history, through his invaluable research, exploration and excavations. Born on 1st March 1942 he had his primary education at S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia and, having proceeded to the United Kingdom he gained his professional qualifications at the Universities of Cambridge and London.
Dr. Deraniyagala, on returning to Sri Lanka, joined the Department of Archaeological Survey in charge of the discipline, Prehistoric Archaeology of Sri Lanka. He made himself a first class archaeologist in his field with a sound training in many educational institutions of Great Britain, India, the Netherlands and France. His participation in these courses brought his first contact with world renowned Prehistoric Archaeologists, such as Harold Baily, Codrington, Zoynar, Thapar and Sankalia. His research thesis for the Ph.D. titled “The Prehistory of Sri Lanka”, published by the Department of Archaeology, has been acknowledged as an outstanding piece of research in the field of South Asian Prehistoric Archaeology.
He is recognised internationally for his research on the pre and proto historic Archaeology of Sri Lanka. The excavations conducted at the citadel of Anuradhapura from 1969 have resulted in unfolding very significant evidence of human habitation even prior to the arrival of the Aryans. Mankulam, Iranmadu, Wilpattu, Yala, Panama, Bundala, Ambalantota,. Bandarawela, Welimada,. Sooriyakanda, Ratnapura, Embilipitiya etc. are some of the sites that he has excavated and exposed many interesting artifacts.
His excavation at Bundala and Embilipitiya have revealed for the first time the existence of a Stone Age based on geometric stone implements 31,000 years ago. At the same time, the excavations at Minihagalkanda and Mankulam have revealed evidence of human habitation as far back as 250,000 years.
His excavation and research activities also include the establishment of a methodology for the study of stone implements on the basis of the methods of study of Anthropology. The periodization of Pre-history in Sri Lanka based on radio-carbon dating methods is also an introduction made by Dr. Deraniyagala. He has earned the praise of international Archeologists, including Prof. Fairbrige the renowned Zoologist of the NASA Institute, in USA.
These excavations conducted by Dr. Deraniyagala have revealed the skeletal remains datable to a period 37,000 and 5000 years BP. In association with K.A.R. Kennedy of Cornell University and Dr. D. Horky of Arisona University, Dr. Deraniyagala had conducted research which had led to a possible relationship of genes of the early man and modem Veddhas. Hokey’s studies also have revealed for the first time a genetic relationship between the Sinhalese and Mohenjodaro-Harappa civilization of 2500 BP.
In 1988 Dr. Deraniyagala’s, excavation at Dorawaka cave revealed the existence of a Neolithic Age in Sri Lanka. Following his advice, young archaeologist T.R. Premathilaka has conducted a pollen analysis together with University of Stockholm, which suppots the suggestion of the existence of Neolithic man proposed by Dr. Deraniyagala. He has also been able to establish a transitional proto historic period in Sri Lanka, through his excavations at the Anuradhapura Citadel. He has shown evidence of the existence of iron technology, domestication of horses, a developed pottery technology and agriculture before the arrival of Vijaya three to four hundred years before King Devanampiya Tissa period (3rd century B. C.). The Brahmi letters on some potsherds discovered by Dr. Deraniyagala are dated to five or six centuries BC.
This great archaeologist expired on the 5th of October – 2021
