The Enigmatic Balangoda Man: Unraveling the Prehistoric Heritage of Sri Lanka – By Nadeeka – eLanka Sri Lanka’s rich tapestry of prehistoric heritage dates back tens of thousands of years, with the Balangoda Man being one of the most intriguing discoveries. This term describes the ancient human inhabitants of the island during the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene periods. This article explores the fascinating story of the Balangoda Man, shedding light on their lifestyle, culture, and profound impact on our understanding of human evolution in South Asia. The Discovery of Balangoda Man The tale of the Balangoda Man begins in the early 20th century when pioneering archaeologists and anthropologists explored Sri Lanka’s prehistoric sites. One of the most notable figures in this field was Dr. P.E.P. Deraniyagala, a renowned Sri Lankan paleontologist and prehistorian. His extensive research in the Balangoda region, particularly at sites such as Batadomba-lena and Fa Hien ...

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A glimpse of the prehistoric rock cave-by MAHIL WIJESINGHE Batadomba-lena forest reserve at Waladura in Kuruwita Source:Sundayobserver As we sat on the base of an excavation pit dug by the Department of Archaeology to unearth the skeletons of early inhabitants in this cave in the mid 80s, we imagined life at the Batadomba-lena cave over 30,000 years ago. This is the second oldest cave in Sri Lanka where the remains of pre-historic humans (c29,000-9,500) have been found. Among the remains discovered are skeletons and various implements in the main cave, which now attracts a large number of visitors including schoolchildren for educational study tours. ...

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