Quarterly Tours
Jayatissa Herath
National Trust – Sri Lanka 25 th Nov. 2017 THIRD QUARTERLY TOUR 2017
SIGIRIYA & IBBANKATUWA MEGALITHIC BURIALS
Tour Leader
Dr. Nilan Cooray - Trustee, Assisant Secretary General of the National Trust Sri Lanka.
Route
By Bus: Colombo – Kurunegala - Dambula – Sigiriya
Return on the same route.
Itinerary
5.30 am Meet at PGIAR and leave at 6.00 am
9.00am – 9.30am Tea and comfort stop at Sigiriya Village Hotel
9.30am – 1.30pm Visit to the Garden and the Palace
1.30 pm – 2.30pm Lunch at Sigiriya Village Hotel
2.45pm – 3.45pm Visit to the Museum
3.45 Leave for Ibbankatuwa
4.15pm – 4.45pm Visit to Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Burial Site
4.45pm – 5.15pm Tea at Ibbankatuwa
9.00 pm Arrive at PGIAR
The itinerary planned may change depending on factors such as time and weather. Please refer last page for more instructions. NTSL Page 2 of 12 SIGIRIYA Sigiriya, a wonderful creation of is a mystique and magnificent man, in its natural setting is one of creation, where the flexibility the major tourist attractions in Sri of human creation is exhibited Lanka. It is believed to be the first in its highest degree by using recorded site visited by tourists in natural setting and features of the South Asia. The famous graffiti on site to achieve the desired built the mirror wall provide evidence environment. to such visitations. It is a terraced site runs beginning Sigiriya is located approx. 180 from flat land approx. 300 feet Km away from Colombo. Sigiriya above mean sea level to rock NTSL Page 3 of 12 summit of 600 feet above mean 4. 6th Century AD to 7th Century sea level where the concentration AD – Post Kasyapan –A of built structures are located. Later Monastic Phase Sigiriya is situated in the dry zone Regional Administrative of the central region of the Island. and Military Centre (?) The natural formation of the site is Preliminary Graffiti also unique and is one of the rising 5. 8th Century AD to 13th/14th rock boulders belong to a naturally Century AD – Post Kasyapan formed range of hills. But Sigiriya – B rock is isolated and therefore, it acquired its qualities to become a Later Monastic sub phase residential site of a King. Major graffiti The selection of Simha-giri, Secondary Graffiti Sihagiri or Sigiri (Lion Mountain) 6. 13th/14th Century AD to 16th as a site for a palace was for its Century AD – Abandoned aesthetic value than its functional 7. 17th Century AD to 18th merits. Century AD – Regional Military outpost of Kandyan The functional needs of agriculture Kingdom were justified by the presence of 8. 1830 AD – Modern Recovery – two rocks, Sigiri and Mapagala, Antiquarians which could have been connected to form a dam and a massive 1894 AD – First Excavations reservoir of water at the source of 1982 AD – First Stratified the Yan Oya. Excavations History of Sigiriya runs back to 3rd There are carved inscriptions Century BC as a Buddhist Monastic belong to 3rd Century BC to 1st settlement. Century AD giving names of the donator of caves to the Buddhist Periodization Chart: - Order. The rock caves are with drip ledges to prevent rainwater flow 1. 3rd Century BC to 1st Century into interiors. AD – Early Monastic Phase The major constructions at the 2. 1st Century AD to 5th Century site belong to Kasyapa period AD - Abandoned that is in between 477 AD to 495 3. 477 AD to 495 AD – Kasyapa – AD. King Kasyapa has ruled the Main constructional phase country residing at site for 18 NTSL Page 4 of 12 years after the death of his father exhibiting an excellent system of King Dhatusena who ruled the water management. country from Anuradhapura. The Ancient City of Sigiriya, an Thereafter the site was turned extra-ordinary creation, has been back again into a Buddhist declared as a World Heritage in Monastery and was extended up 1982 by the UNESCO under their to fourteenth Century AD. And evaluation criteria 2, 3 and 4. then the site was abandoned for • exhibits an important some time until it was converted to interchange of human a Military Outpost of the Kandyan values, over a span Kingdom in 17th century AD. The of time or within a cultural area of the site was again abandoned and the world, on developments credit to recent discovery goes to in architecture or the Department of Archaeology. technology, monumental arts, town planning or The efforts of the Cultural Triangle landscape design; Project of the Central Cultural Fund brought many more details • bears a unique or at least exceptional testimony into light and made Sigiriya site to a cultural tradition or legible to the extend what we see to a civilization which and enjoy today. is living or which has disappeared;
Sigirya sanctuary – declared under and wild life protection ordinances contains 12,500 acres in extent. • is an outstanding example of a type of building or architectural or Sigirya has a great archaeological technological ensemble value, not only because of an ill- or landscape which fated prince used it for a hideout. illustrates a significant stage in human history. It is a Pleasure Garden, Fortress, The fifth century layout of Sigiri Art Gallery and Place to exhibit reveals traces of a city built Art, Architecture, Engineering, according to a well organized Hydraulic Designs, Landscape and planning concepts. However, the many more as well as Technological plan was confined to the area Skills and achievements. It is a of the royal city or the palace design for defense and protection. compound. Designed as a royal residence in an overall context, Sigiriya is a design It should be observed that all for leisure. It is also a design along, the aesthetic criteria were NTSL Page 5 of 12 given precedence. 2. The high plain to the east and For instance, when the inner west of the rock moat crossed an outcrop of rock situated above the natural features were left the flood level of intact, even at the risk of the the reservoir. This defense requirements becoming part of the city was ineffective. probably reserved for the quarters of The layout of the western the official staff and city has been conceived to be for administrative symmetrical, but as in the inner units. moat, natural rocks and boulders were integrated and allowed to The plan displays a sense of stand undisturbed. The natural aesthetic symmetry and a features were thus incorporated genuine understanding of natural into the geometrically laid out features of the designers who had ponds and paths integrated the functional needs of the town despite the rocky nature It is believed that there had been of the terrain. Each rock and gates from all four directions. The boulder, whether erect or fallen, remains of Northern, Southern was absorbed into the overall and Western Gate Houses provide plan and the buildings that were evidence to prove this idea too. constructed with a deep sense of The South Western Precinct is harmony with nature. excavated and conserved by the Cultural Triangle Project The Outer Rampart, Outer Moat, and therefore, the details and Middle Rampart are the features features in that part can be easily to experience before crossing understood. the recent steel bridge over Inner Moat which was conserved The town have been in two parts, and maintained by the Cultural 1. The inner Triangle. The Inner Moat, Inner enclosure covering Rampart, Ancient Paving, Central the summit of the Axial Pathway, beautifully laid out 500 feet rock which Water Garden, Miniature Water contained the garden, Fountains, Water causes, private apartments Summer Palaces, Ponds, Wall with of the king and his ancient Plaster samples, Monastic household, Site with a cave Image House NTSL Page 6 of 12 NTSL Page 7 of 12 and a Bo-tree shrine, Boulder opportunity to see such a Arches, Rock Cut Seat, Steps collection of handwriting of the running through boulder Arches people who lived thousand years and Boulders, Terraced Gardens, ago on the mirror wall. Rock cut Water spout, Cave with Paintings and burnt brick paving, The Western part of the site Mirror Wall with graffiti (writings is with more elaborate details of pilgrims), Wall Paintings of and features responsible for the tempera technique and Remains Pleasure Garden. The Eastern Part of Prison Cells are the experience of the site is believed to be the up to the Lion’s Paw Terrace from Inner City. the Western Entrance. The recently discovered paintings Sigiriya is well known for its 5th on the exterior face of the Mirror century paintings of excellent wall is a clue to strengthen the artistic quality. What is remaining idea of that the Western face of today are only small fragments the rock was then enriched with found in two depressions on the paintings rock surface, depicting eighteen The Lion’s Paw is also a fascinating female figures of immense beauty creation. It is believed that the known as Apsaras. This painting name SIGIRI was given after the would have spread throughout erection of this Lion Figure to the western surface of the rock, provide entrance to the staircase forming a back drop to the leading to Summit. The cut western guard covering an area marks on the rock provide a of more than 100 meters by 40 clue to understand the shape meters and it would have been the and construction of the ancient largest mural ever done by man. It stairway. The Summit is the Palace is a good example of the oriental of the King. painting tradition. The artists have carefully followed the principles The Palace buildings consist with and methodology described in the several centre courtyards and split- ‘silpa’ texts that have recorded the levels keeping with the natural painting traditions while depicting levels and setting of the summit the beauty of the female figure, of the boulder. The remains on the jewelry, head dress and other the summit is a best example for adornments. an Ancient Royal Palace, which is still at easily readable state of It is an unique occasion and preservation. NTSL Page 8 of 12 The Pond and the deep pit may remain but also as a natural and have been to meet water and manmade formation and creation sanitary requirements of the together with its setting and Palace complex. In addition, there surrounding which forms the are pockets on the rock used as heritage of mankind in its totality. watch huts to guard the palace for external invasions. The whole site with its moats, ramparts and locations of References: - significant features that the · Sigiriya – Seneke Bandaranayake, The Cultural Triangle – UNESCO visitors’ attention should be drawn Publishing / CCF – 1993, are clearly marked in the Graphic · Presentation on “Is Sigiriya the Plan provided. earliest True Tourist Site in Asia – Roland Silva – 2003 On the way back the Cistern Rock, · Brief Description of Sites – World Audience Hall, Small Cave with Heritage Centre – UNESCO – 1992 Paintings and Seat, and a Naturally formed Cobra Hood with a painted · National Trust Lecture – “Sigiriya, its Mirror Wall and the Graffiti” - ceiling and a Cave shelter are the by Prof. Nimal De Silva significant items to experience. · Presentation on “Sigiri - A Fossilized Artifact of Once an It is not only the site itself bears Endured Landscape- Dr. Roland such qualitative attributes but Silva also the surrounding hinterlands · “World Heritage City of Sigiriya” having geological, geographical article by Jayatissa Herath, “Vasthu” - Sri Lanka Institute of and natural and man added Architects - 2004 features which forms a part of the creation of authentic Sigiriya. Photographs: - The Dept. of Archaeology, With similar weightage given to The Central Cultural Fund, R. appreciate and enjoy the beauty Jayasekera, Late Tissa Senarathne, Maya Upananda, and Jayatissa and the value of the site it is Herath, necessary all the visitors pay their attention and render their fullest Graphic Plan: - Jayatissa Herath cooperation to protect Ancient City of Sigiriya and its hinterlands with all features and elements in their authentic state and values not only as an archaeological NTSL Page 9 of 12 IBBANKATUWA MEGALITHIC BURIALS Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Burial The prehistoric period of Sri Lanka Ground or Tombs site is an ranges from 250,000 – 1,000 BC. ancient burial site located The transition period between near Ibbankatuwa Wewa. The the end of the prehistoric period site is believed to be belongs and the commencement of to the megalithic prehistoric the historic period is known and protohistoric periods of Sri as the protohistoric period. Lanka and considered as one of The Ibbankatuwa tomb the several ancient burial sites site was first identified in that have been found in the 1970 by the Department of country. The site is situated on Archaeology who caused to carry the Kurunegala - Dambulla road out the Radiocarbon dating of the approximately five kilometers remnants found in the site and before Dambulla town. Currently have revealed that these tombs the tomb site has been designated are dated back to 700 – 400 B.C. as a protected Monument in Sri time periods. After that a number Lanka. of archaeological excavations
NTSL Page 10 of 12 were carried out in 1983–1984 The area where the tombs have and again between 1988 and been found is about 15×15 1990. metres. About 10 tombs have been unearthed and each tomb It is believed that the ancient is separated by four stone slabs Ibbankatuwa settlement is and covered by another slab on located about 150 m (490 ft) the top. This Early Iron Age burial southwest of Dambulu Oya river ground has been dated to 750 BC and approximately 200 m (660 ft) to 400 BC. east of the eastern edge of the cemetery. The site is approximately 6 ha (15 acres) in size. The first excavation was done in 1988 and then in 1989, 1990 and 1991 The References: - tomb complex covers an area of · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ about 1 km2 (0.39 square miles) Ibbankatuwa_Megalithic_Tombs with 42 clusters of tombs and each · http://amazinglanka.com/wp/ cluster contains about 10 tombs. ibbankatuwa/ Each tombs are enclosed with four stone slabs and covered by another slab on the top. According to the way of interment two distinct burial customs, urn (bodies were placed in urns and interred) and cist (ashes of deceased were interred) have been identified. Cremated remains with grave goods and tools used by deceased have been found at the site in large terra-cotta urns and cists as well as in the area between the cists. The finds include variety of clay pots, iron, copper and gold artifacts, beads, necklaces, etc. The gemstones found in some necklaces are not naturally found in Sri Lanka which indicates that they may have been imported.
NTSL Page 11 of 12 Meals
Breakfast should be whilst travelling. Each participant is requested to bring their own breakfast
Tea and a buffet lunch has been organised to accommodate both veg and non veg meal preference.
A pack of fruit juice will be provided on board.
Bottles of water are available on board.
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