Dorawaka Ethubandi Cave – venture into Neolithic Era – By Arundathie Abeysinghe Situated off the beaten track in Uragala in close proximity to Warakapola in *Kegalle District, Dorawakkanda Cave also known as Dorawaka Ethubandi Cave Prehistoric Site has yielded some of the most sensational archaeological findings in recent times including several *Brahmi inscriptions. Also known as “Athabandi Lena”, this cave comprises primitive rock paintings depicting animals, the sun and moon and some unidentifiable objects. According to research carried out in this location, the habitation of this cave is in the transition period from Mesolithic to Protohistoric. Prior to the excavations, the rock cave has been dated to the proto historic Mesolithic period. Considered as a major breakthrough in history and archaeology of Sri Lanka as evidence regarding the existence of civilization during the Neolithic Period in Sri Lanka was discovered, although, tosses and vestiges of man pertaining to this era ...
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Digging into ‘Kota Vehera’ By Somasiri Devendra (An excerpt from “Jungles, Ruins and Shipwrecks”) Once, only, did I have the privilege of watching a systematic archaeological excavation in progress. [Note:The excavation was conducted by my father, D.T.Devendra, Asst. Commissioner of Archaeology] It was the excavation of the “Kota Vehera” at Dedigama, the supposed birth spot of Parakramabahu l. Called “Kota” vehera because its upper structure (hataras-kotuwa, devata-kotuwa and kot-kerella) had not been completed, it was really a massive structure. Dagobas are built upwards from far below ground level, in solid brick and stone up to and above the relic chambers. Above that was a rubble, brick-bat and earth filling, with the brickwork outside gradually tapering off the dome. So to get inside one, you entered from above, with no damage done, and dig till you come to the solid brickwork. The serious work begins then. By the time I was ...
