Laamu Handbook Addendum

LAAMU HANDBOOK ADDENDUM

SITES INVESTIGATED BY H. C. P. BELL IN LAAMU ATOLL LAAMU HANDBOOK ADDENDUM: SITES INVESTIGATED BY H. C. P. BELL IN LAAMU ATOLL

Compiled by Ahmed Ikram 3 July 2018

Maldives Heritage Survey is a project, based at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, led by Dr Michael Feener and funded by Arcadia.Work in the country will be done in partnership with the Maldives Department of Heritagewith additional support from the Earth Observatory of Singapore. Contact: Dr Michael Feener Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies Marston Road Oxford. OX3 0EE Email: [email protected]

Front Cover: The famous world map by Venetian monk Fra Mauro was completed about 1450. The surviving original is on display at the Museo Correr in Venice. This version has been inverted to put north at the top of the map.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 1. Dagaba & associated ruins in Gan, Laamu Atoll 1 i) Gan Dagaba 1 ii) Gan Vihāra (Image shrine) 3 iii) Gan Piriveṇa (Monk’s Residence) 4 iv) Waṭadāge (Circular Relic Shrine) 5 v) Ruin A and Ruin B 5 vi) Wells 5 2. Munbaru Dagaba & associated ruins in Kuruhinna, Gan, Laamu Atoll 6 i) Mumbaru Dagaba 7 ii) Ruin A and Ruin B 7 2.b. Finds from Munbaru Dagaba & associated ruins, Gan, Laamu Atoll 8 3. Description of Buduge Dagaba & Well in Munḍu, Lama Atoll. 8 i) Dagaba 8 ii) Well 8

LIST OF FIGURES Plate 2 - Plan of Gan Dagaba 12 Plate 3 - Plan of Gan Vihara 13 Plate 4 - Gan Vihara Front Elevation 14 Plate 5 - Gan Vihara - Side and Back Elevation 15 Plate 6 - Gan Vihara - Section Through A-B 16 Plate 7 - GAN VIHARA - SOUTH ELEVATION & SECTION THrOUGH C-D 17 Plate 8 - Plan of Well near Gan Dagaba 18 Plate 8 - Plan of Gan Pirivena 19 Plate 9 - Gan Pirivena - South Elevation 20 Plate 10 - Gan Pirivena - Section A-B 21 Plate 11 - Well near Gan Pirivena 22 Plate 12 - Plan of Kuruhinna, Gan 23 Plate 13 - Plan of Kuruhinna Dagaba 24 Plate 14 - Kuruhinna Dagaba - West Elevation 25 Plate 15 - Kuruhinna Dagaba - Section Through A-B 26 Plate 16 - Plan of Kuruhinna Ruin A, Ruin B and Moulding Section Through A-B 27 Plate 17 - Plan of RUINS IN MUNDU 28 Plate 18 - PLAN - Mundu Dagaba 29 Plate 19 - MUNDU DAGABA - EAST elevation 30 PLATE 20 - MUNDU Dagaba Section Through A-B 31 PLATE 21- Mundu Island - Plan, Section Through A-B of Well and its Moulding 32 LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS Photograph 1: Gan Dagaba - South View 34 Photograph 2: Gan Dagaba - South - Cleared 34 Photograph 3: Gan Dagaba - South West 35 Photograph 4: Gan Privena - North East - Cleared 35 Photograph 5: Gan Privena - South West - Cleared 36 Photograph 6: Gan Privena - South East - Cleared 36 Photograph 7: Gan Privena - South East - Mouldings 37 Photograph 8: Gan Privena - North East - Cleared 37 Photograph 9: Gan Vihara - North - Excavated 38 Photograph 10: Gan Vihara - South - Excavated - Mouldings 38 Photograph 11: Gan Vihara - Mouldings 39 Photograph 12: Gan Vihara - South - Porch 39 Photograph 13: Gan Vihara - Gan Vihara - Porch - South East - Excavated 40 Photograph 14: Gan Kuruhinna Dagaba - North - Cleared 40 Photograph 15: Gan Kuruhinna Dagaba - South - Cleared 41 Photograph 16: Gan Kuruhinna Dagaba - East - Cleared 41 Photograph 17: Gan Kuruhinna Dagaba - West - Cleared 42 Photograph 18: Gan Kuruhinna Dagaba- West - Uncleared 42 Photograph 19: Gan Kuruhinna Dagaba - Mouldings 43 Photograph 20: Gan Kuruhinna - Ruin A - East - Cleared 43 Photograph 21: Gan Kuruhinna - Ruin B - Mouldings 44 Photograph 22: Gan Kuruhinna - Ruin A & B - South East - Cleared 44 Photograph 23: Mundu Dagaba - North East - Cleared 45 Photograph 24: Mundu Dagaba - South East - Cleared 45 Photograph 25: Mundu Mosque - South West 46 Photograph 26: Gan Ruins - Asana & Indrikila-Gala 46 Photograph 27: Gan Ruins - Teli & Padmasana 46 Photograph 28: Gan Ruins - Rumba, China Jar 47 Photograph 29: Gan Ruins - Post Heads 47 Photograph 30: Gan Ruins - Pillar Capitals 47 Photograph 31: Gan Ruins - Sedent Buddha 48 Photograph 32: Gan Ruins - Face of Buddha 48 Photograph 33: Gan & Mundu - Beads 49 Photograph 34: Gan Kuruhinna - Karanduva 49 Photograph 35: Gan Kuruhinna - Karanduva - Beads 49 Introduction

It was during his third visit from 2 February 1922 to 22 September 1922 that H.C.P. Bell conducted two Archaeological Expeditions to the Southern Atolls of Maldives with interludes in

Male’. The objective of the visit as conveyed by the Ceylon Government to the Sultan of Maldives was H.C.P. Bells planned Archaeological trip to the Southern Atolls and a stay in Málé (Bell, 2002: 7).

H.C.P. Bell was accompanied by a clerk, Mr. W.L.de Silva, a Sinhalese from Kandy Kachcheri and A.R. Allon (Allauddin), a Malay peon together with the Maldivian, Hoḷudu-nevige Ismail Dīdī1, the then Míru Bahru2 as interpretor and Ibrahím Takurufánu of Addu Atoll as Pilot.

The second expedition was to Laamu Atoll (Haddummati Atoll) was from 7th to April 1922 by the same team in Fath-hul-Májid, the Maldivian Government Schooner. The expedition investigated the following Buddhist ruins, (a), (b) in Gan Island (11-20 March) and (c) in Mundu Island (20-22 March) (Bell, 2002: 3) and (d) Guraidu Island in South Male Atoll (8 April) (Bell, 2002: 4):

(a) The larger group lying about a half a mile from clustered habitations. Maniku (1993:52) describes this group of ruins as being called “Gamu Haiytheli" and is situated on Mudhin Hinna in the Mukurimagu ward of Gan Island, Haddumati Atoll (Laamu Atoll). The Dagaba is 300 ft. in circumference and 24 ft. in height.

(b) A smaller coterie at the South end of the island known as Kuruhinna tharaagandu. Maniku (1993:52) describes these ruins as being called 'Munbaru" in an area called Kuruhinna of Gan Island, Haddumati Atoll (Laamu Atoll).

(c) Small Buddhist monastery (a diminished mound,once a Dágaba) in Mundu Island. Maniku (1993: 52) describes this mound as being called Buduge and situated on the west of the island. This is 244 feet in circumference and about 4 feet in height.

(d) Ziyárat (tomb) of Sultan Hussain II Fámudéri Kilégefánu adjoining a ruined abandoned mosque in Guraidu Island, South Male’ Atoll.

Of the sites please ﬁnd below the descriptions of the sites in Laamu Atoll, investigated by H.C.P Bell. 1. Dagaba & associated ruins in Gan, Laamu Atoll

For a plan of Dagaba and associated ruins in Gan, see Plate 1 i) Gan Dagaba

This was the biggest Dagaba from the ﬁve discovered in the Expedition to the Southern Atolls. In 1922 the expedition recorded the height of the mound as 35 ft., in a very ruined condition with lots of vegetation including large trees which has devastated the site (Bell 2002:111). It is located on the North-East corner of the monastic complex (Bell 2002:130). See Plate 2.

The only remains is a part of the haunch of the dome its connected moulding and the drum and base moulding on the South-West of this stupa. This surviving structure had a lineal spread of 9 ft. and a height of 16 ft. (Bell 2002:111).

1 Born 15 Jumada al-Awwal 1276 A.H and died in an epidemic which struck Málé in Rabi al Awwal 1341 A.H (9 December 1859-October 1922)

2 In Arabic Emir-ul-Bahr, at the rank 1 Table 1: Measurement of Gan Dagaba

No. Detail Measurement (Ft.)

1 Height

- Plinth and base 9.6

- Drum 4.4

- Cornice 1.6

- Springing line 0.18

- Dome 26.6

2 Superstructure height 10

3 Diameter

- Plinth 105

- Base (low) 103

- Base (up) 93

- Drum 86

- Springing line 78

Bell states that the most of the superstructure of the Dagaba has vanished including almost all of the dome, the plinth or platform on which the Dagaba stood (Bell 2002:111). This makes it diﬃcult to understand the plan of the stupa or discern whether it had a staircase or not. Bell describes that the at the foot of the Dagaba had fragmentary walling which started 10 ft. above ground level has been stripped from all sides and that it formed part of a tholobate basement (2002:111).

Bell means that this stupa was on a plinth and being 10ft above ground level means that there was once a staircase.

The masonry of Gan Dagaba was coral squared blocks of medium size encasing a rubble core, similar to Fua Mulaku Dagaba (Bell 2002:111).

Bell’s prima facie interpretation was that Gan Dagaba was a replica of Fua Mulaku Dagaba. He classes this Dagaba as a “segmental dome rising from a presumed neck of like diameter, which it stood on duplicated platform stages” (2002:111).

Bell points out that unlike the Fua Mulaku Dagaba whose diameter bisects the top of the dome from the springing line; the Gan Dagaba’s diameter bisection places the center of the dome at ground level, making it a true hemicycle (2002:111). And using this bisection, Bell arrives at a diameter of 84 ft. at base with a radius of 42 f. to the top of the dome (2002:111).

On the top of the Dagaba in a hollowed pit that had depth 3 ft. was found the slab fixed in the top of the Dagaba. This circular slab had a diameter of 4 ft. and had knops at its four quarters (with one missing). This slab had slightly shifted from its original place. This was deduced from the compass readings which gave (North-East & South-West and North-West & South East). In its true position it will confirm exactly to the cardinal points (Bell 2002:149). This slab is called Indra-kīla- gala in Singhalese and is fixed on the top of a Dagaba to mark the central position from the stone on which the pinnacle rose (Bell 2002:149). The finial was also found in pieces (Bell 2002:136).

2 One of the umbrella (disc) forming the pinnacle was found during the excavation. Bell assumes this disc to be one among the seven discs that formed the “Chatra” pinnacle (2002:112). Bell comments that this disc resembled those on miniature “Relic casket” sculpted from rocks which have been found in Ceylon and India (2002:112).

According to Bell the true chatrāvali spired Dagaba was superseded by the tapering tubiform pinnacle (Singhalese- kota) rising from a square harmikā (Singhalese – hatrẹs koṭuwa) and a circular drum-neck (Singhalese – dēvatā koṭuwa) in the Fifth century A.D. (2002:112) in Ceylon. TheDagaba was part of a monastery (Saṅghārāma) and it consisted of the following structures. ii) Gan Vihāra (Image shrine)

This structure is located 32.004 meters South-West of theDagaba (Bell 2002:130). See Plate 3,4,5,6.

The plan is of an oblong building on a low and broad podium with ambulatory all around. On the east face there is a portico which is ascended by a stairway with two ﬂights of stairs serving into pro-naos and then onto Vihāra. Bell identiﬁes the type of Vihāra plan with those found throughout Anurādhapura with variations and that the Maldivian type found its closest match in the Vihāra of Toḷuvilu Monastery (2002:113). Table 2: Measurement of Gan Vihara

No. Detail Measurement (Ft.)

1 Exterior dimensions 47 ft. North-South, 43 ft. including moulded East- West podium

2 Height of shrine 3 ft. 9 in.

3 Shrine dimensions 34 ft. * 30 ft.

4 Stairway: Flight of steps: 5 Step : 10 ft. in width Tread: 1ft. 4 in. Riser: 5 in. Projection: 21 ft. Landing: 27 ft. width Landing wall: 12 in. thick

5 Moonstone, semi- 10 ft. by 6 ft. 3 in. circular slab (footing the stairway)

6 Wall thickness of shrine 1 ft. 6 in.

7 Ambulatory 6 1/2 in avg. width

Slabs Maximum 2-1 ft. 8 in. (length) A broken face and head of a Buddha was found during the excavation of the Dagaba located east of the Vihāra, of which Bell interprets as probable part of a statue contained within the Gan Vihāra using analogy of Toḷuvilu Vihāra which enshrined a colossal Sedent Buddha (2002:113).

A further stylistic similarity is found in the dentils on the south side of the Gan Vihāra, known as nail-head moulding which is to be found on the portico of Toḷuvilu Vihāra and on the dado of Dagaba platform of Toḷuvilu Monastery (Bell 2002:114). And in contrast we ﬁnd the plain moonstones (Sin.Saňdakada pahaṇ) footing the stairway of Toḷuvilu Vihāra we ﬁnd the large semi- circular slab which foots the stairway of Gan Vihāra (Bell 2002:114). Despite the similarity for the

3 purpose of dating this comparison cannot be used as the date of establishment of Toḷuvilu Monastery is unclear (Bell 2002:114). iii) Gan Piriveṇa (Monk’s Residence) It is located 45.72 meters directly south of the Vihāra (Bell 2002:130). Bell declares that the type of Piriveṇa found in the Maldives of which the Gan Piriveṇa is the sole example (2002:114). This type consists of triple fronts or entrances. See Plate 8,9,10,11.

No remains of masonry pillars to support the roof was found, Bell interpreted this as because it was made of wood, but no evidence remains of columniation (2002:133). The only evidence of the roof was ﬂat roof tiles which according to Bell looks similar in form to Peti uḷu of Kandy (2002:133).

Two tiles which were broken were collected by Bell, but the dimension or any extra description is not given.Bell found later rebuilding of the site which led him to conclude that the structure was modiﬁed in its plan to a mosque. This is led credence by the locals who calls it Ihu Miskiyy (meaning “Former Mosque) (Bell 2002:133).

Table 3: Measurement of Gan Pirivena

No. Detail Measurement (Ft.)

1 prākāra - 184 ft. East to West, 146 ft. North to South - Width 8 ft. - entrances 1) 10 ft. (breadth) East angle of North wall 2) 3ft. 6 in. (breadth) North end of West wall

2 Dimensions of Piriveṇa Oblong 67 ft. (East to West) by 55 ft.

3 3 Stairways on North, Each stairway: 13 East ft. in width with 7 & South steps (riser 91 2, tread 1 ft. 9 in.), projection 12 ft.

4 Podium - 5 ft. 6 in. in height - In two parts (lower part 3 ft., upper 2 ft. 6 in.)

5 Slab / ashlar Size varies -10 in. – 3 ft. 4 in. (length) * 8 in. – 15 in. (breadth) * 5 in. – 10 in. (height) The modification consisted of reducing the East and West sides of the building to 31 ft., the stairway on the East was shifted southward to fit midway of this reduced wall, the South side and Southern stairway was left unaltered, the North side was demolished except for 24 ft. towards its western end. The Western wall was then right-angled and joined with the remaining wall from the North. This formed a bay measuring 24 ft. on each side. The shortened Eastern wall was then joined to the Northern Wall to form a small bay measuring 14 ft. 6 in. by 12 ft. Bell calculates the space between the two bays with three steps 7 ft. in width forming the floor of the mosque (2002:133).

Near the prākāra opening in the North a decrepit grave with kerb of coral stone around on which small white ﬂags where hung was found. Bell states that his was a Ziyarat (tomb) of some saintly Islander, whose grave stone has perished (2002:152).

4 iv) Waṭadāge (Circular Relic Shrine) Located 45.72 meters to the South of the Dagaba and nearly on the beach Bell found a wrecked circular shrine which he believes to be a Waṭadāge (2002:130). Prior to excavation the mound looked irregular with 10 -12 ft. in height and about 40 ft. in circumference. It was covered with vegetation and littered with sculptured monoliths (pillar and pointed post fragments and capitals) and assorted varieties of moulded stones. All of them made of coral. See Plate 1.

Bell believes that these stones formed the colonnade and railing encircling an object that occupied the centre of the shrine (2002:132). Its circular plan and ring of pillars which surrounds the shrine of a Buddhist image lead Bell to postulate on it resemblance to the Waṭadāge of Toḷuvilu Monastery (2002:132). Bell gives no measurements of this structure. v) Ruin A and Ruin B These ruins lie at centred between the Dagaba and the Waṭadāge, Vihāra and Piriveṇa. Ruin A is ruinous and gives indistinct indications of a square building 38 ft. (Bell 2002:133). The plan of Ruin A gives a square with stairways on four sides this gives immediate recognition to this ruin as being a Dagaba square in plan with stairways of four sides (cross-shaped). Ruin B having stairway on South (Bell describes as being on the East but on the plan of ruins shows otherwise). See Plate 1. vi) Wells

The ruins in Gan Island, Haddummati Atoll had 5 wells, 2 of them located with the Dagaba and the rest located with the Piriveṇa. a) There were two well on the Southern side of the Dagaba. The one on the West was a pit lined with rubble and Bell does not examine it, the other on the East was solidiﬁed with coral lumps which Bell clears to ﬁnd an elaborate construction (2002:131). See Plate 7.

The mouth of this well had a diameter of 7 ft. 6 in., its walls were built of 8 courses of coral squared blocks (6-9 in. in height, 99 blocks). These walls receded upward from rectangular ledge of 6 in. which projects 7 in. reducing the diameter at the bottom of the well by 5 ft. 2 in. (Bell 2002:131).

The well was 4 ft. 9 in., deep. The bottom was laid with eight horizontal voussoir slabs, squared blocks which extends inwards for 2 ft. all around, leaving 1 ft. 2 in. at the centre. The outer rim of this circle was 3 in. broad and was laid in coral concrete. The innermost circle had a diameter of 8 in. and from it protruded the rim of a jar (Bell 2002:131).

Bell dismantles these voussoir slabs (paving ﬂags) and removes the jar which appeared to be made of white porcelain, 2 ft. 6 in. in height and 9.5 in. at bottom. The bottom had holes for water to percolate into the well.

When the jar was ﬁlled the maximum circumference was 6 ft. 7 in. On the outside there were ‘catches’ [cordage lug handles]. The jar had a thickness of 0.375 in., was cracked. Bell compares this jar to the modern Maldive rumba and says there is little diﬀerence (2002:132). b) There were three wells connected with Gan Piriveṇa. Two of them were located inside the prākāra. To the North East within the walls, is a well square in plan with 6 ft. which Bell assumes was an adjunct to the structure when it was converted into a Mosque (2002:133). See Plate 11.

Of the two wells, one was circular lined with rough coral courses was located outside the North East of the prākāra (Bell 2002:152). The other well, close to the Eastern wall and within the temenos was faced with squared coral blocks. Bell dug this well, to ﬁnd no paving ﬂags or jar 5 (2002:133). The diameter at mouth of well was 4 ft. 10 in., the total depth was 8 ft. 6 in. At 5 ft. 8 in. below the mouth of the well the walls converge at a 6 in. ledge which goes down to 3 ft. 8 in., the width of this ledge decreases in 4 in. due to the downward slope (batter) of the upper and lower parts (11 in. and 4 in.) (Bell 2002:134).

Bell describes the third well outside the prākāra as ordinary like the rubble lined well near the Dagaba (2002:134). 2. Munbaru Dagaba & associated ruins in Kuruhinna, Gan, Laamu Atoll

Kuruhinna is a small coterie of ruins at the Southern end of Gan Island. It is located 600 ft. north of a creek which separates the ruins from an uninhabited island named Māraḍū. When Bell examined the site the ruins were hidden by dense vegetation (2002:134).See Plate 12.

The ruins consist of a Dagaba and two buildings inside a prākāra. The Dagaba is located to the North East and the buildings are aligned to the West wall of the prākāra facing east. Of these two building one is oblong and the other square.

Table 4: Finds from Gan Dagaba & associated ruins

No. Item Context

1 Flat circular coral slab 4ft. in diameter from Stupa with four ear like knops, carved in coral

2 Huge face of a colossal Buddha carved from Stupa in coral, measurement of face: 1 ft. 6 in. from chin to forehead just below hair curls and 1 ft. 3 in. from cheek to cheek

3 Small image of a sedent Buddha, carved from Stupa in coral and with traces of colour, without head, hands and lower half of the legs

4 Ornamental head-dress of a Bōdhisatva from Stupa

5 A cushion shaped ring, a disc from the from Stupa pinnacle, made of coral

6 Rough rounded ﬂat pedestal, unmoulded from Stupa with mortice for an image

7 Image Pedestal (Sin. Galāsana), from Watadage cylindrical in shape, made of coral (Div. hiri-gā), broken in half, two pieces found, 2ft. 2 in. in diameter by 1 ft. 6 in. in height and morticed at top 41 2 in. by 71 2 in. torus member of its plinth had Bodhi leaf ornamentation

8 Two ﬂat roof tiles from Pirivena

9 Porcelain Jar - white From the Eastern Well located South of the Gan Dagaba.

6 i) Mumbaru Dagaba The Dagaba was erected on a circular plinth. The drum was cross- shaped and was aligned to the cardinal points. In the middle of this cross shaped drum was the dome (Bell 2002:134). See Plate 13-16. Table 5: Measurement of Munbaru Dagaba and associated

No. Part Measurement

1 prākāra - Breadth 6 ft.; 102 ft. from North to South and 90 ft. from East to West. -the openings are 10 ft. on middle of North wall and 8 ft. on East end of South wall.

2 MumbaruDagaba:

Circular Plinth Diameter: 32 ft. 9 in. in. - of three slab courses - height: 2 ft. 9 in. (equal to its horizontal projection)

Drum Formed of a square 18 ft. The projection is 7 ft * 4 ft. 6 in. - height: 4 ft. 6 in.

Dome Diameter: 12 ft. 6 in. Height observed: 7 ft. - Height from plinth: 3 ft. 6 in. Springing line: diameter 10 ft. 9 in - Haunch: 5 ft. 9 in.

Harmika Plinth: 4 ft. 3 in.

Stairway Located on West and leads to circular plinth Flights of steps:5, Width: 7 ft. 6 in.

The casing blocks of this Dagaba was in a good condition due to the isolation of these ruins which are 2 miles from the habitations in Gan Island (Bell 2002:134). The moulding on the drum is in uniformity with the base of the Vihāra and Piriveṇa of the main group (Bell 2002:134).

Bell comments that the approximate elevation of the dome must be conjectured, the dome rose from a plinth (2002:134). Broken moulding 12 inches were found on the top of the dome, which Bell associates with the plinth of (4 ft. 3 in.) harmika from which rose a pinnacle (2002:134).

Bell observed that the Dagaba has been already been dug from the east side from the top to the plinth which formed a talus slope (2002:134). Bell laid a trench through this detritus to ground level to ﬁnd that the relic chamber has been violated and the discovery of a relic casket made of squared coral from the debris. This casket was found with its semi-bevelled lid detached and inside was tiny glass beads of assorted colours and couple of precious stones (2002:134). ii) Ruin A and Ruin B

Both of these ruins are rectangular and adjoin the prākāra wall. Ruin A retains only three walls with the East side being open. The mouldings conﬁrm to the universal Maldive type. Inside Ruin A is signs of broken dais upon which an image might have been placed resting on masonry concave support (Bell 2002:135). Ruin B had a doorway from the East and 2 ft. in height of its walls remain but it contains no masonry additions (Bell 2002:135).

7 Table 6: Measurement of Ruin A and Ruin B

No. Part Measurement

1 Ruin A Square: 9 ft. 9 in. * 9 ft. 9 in. Moulded plinth: height 2 ft. 6 in.

2 Ruin B Oblong: 16 ft. North * 14 ft. South

Bell conjectures that the dwelling of the monks must be outside of the Sacred Temenos of Kuruhinna Monastery but the locals did not reveal existence of any other structure thus Bell assumes that, then Ruin B must have been the residence of the Sangha (2002:135).

2.b. Finds from Munbaru Dagaba & associated ruins, Gan, Laamu Atoll

Table 7: Finds from Munbaru Dagaba and associated ruins

No. Part Measurement

1 Relic Casket (of Trench on the East side of Mumbaru square Dagaba. The casket contained beads and coral with semi- precious stones. The principal Mineral bevelled Surveyor of Ceylon identiﬁed the lid) beads as: - Glass beads of diﬀerent colours - Two stones ( garnet & pale sapphire (dalam))

3. Description of Buduge Dagaba & Well in Munḍu, Lama Atoll. i) Dagaba

What remains of this Dagaba was a low mound at the Northern end of the prākāra. This mound had a circumference of 150 ft. and a height of 12 ft. It is locally known as Buduge (Bell 2002:135). See Plate 17-19.

The North face of the mound had a projection of a stairway with a landing of 20 ft. (Bell 2002:135).

Bell estimates that the mound has been dug more than once as the only ﬁnd from his trial trench was a single pear-shaped white bead (2002:135).

Bell does not give the dimensions of the prākāra. He describes a small Mosque adjoining the North East the prākāra which he assumes was built with slabs from the drum and stairway of the Dagaba (2002:135). ii) Well

Located 120 ft. from Buduge Dagaba and near the Eastern wall of the prākāra is a circular well of ‘exceptional construction’ in a nice state of preservation (Bell 2002:135). See Plate 20.

The diameter at mouth is 12 ft. The sides of the well descend by a slope (1 ft. 6 in.) to 4 ft. to a horizontal projection which is 2 ft. in width. At this projection the wells diameter decreases to 5 ft. From this projection there is a descending slight batter of 3 ft. to a paved bottom 6 in. less in diameter which has 6 in. intake for percolating water (Bell 2002:135).

8 Of the thin uppermost courses of the wells revetment, the moulding on the copingstone represents a rectangular cornice 1 in. in height supported by an under-cut series of small corbels in cyma with upper and lower fascia each 2.5 in. wide and 2.5in. high, which is semi divided and is in sunk-relief 1.25 in. from the face of the stone, the second course has a depth of 3.5 in. and is splayed resting on 2 in. ogee moulding. The height of subsequent 3 courses is 9 in.

Below this are plain courses in batter footed by mouldings. These moulding reach 4 ft. to a ﬂat ledge where six vertical courses complete the walling (Bell 2002:135).

9 PLATES

10 Plate 1 - Plan of Gan Dagaba Complex

11 PLATE 2 - PLAN OF GAN DAGABA

12 PLATE 3 - PLAN OF GAN VIHARA

13 PLATE 4 - GAN VIHARA FRONT ELEVATION

14 PLATE 5 - GAN VIHARA - SIDE AND BACK ELEVATION

15 PLATE 6 - GAN VIHARA - SECTION THROUGH A-B

16 PLATE 7 - GAN VIHARA - SOUTH ELEVATION & SECTION THROUGH C-D

17 PLATE 8 - PLAN OF WELL NEAR GAN DAGABA

18 PLATE 8 - PLAN OF GAN PIRIVENA

19 PLATE 9 - GAN PIRIVENA - SOUTH ELEVATION

20 PLATE 10 - GAN PIRIVENA - SECTION A-B

21 PLATE 11 - WELL NEAR GAN PIRIVENA

22 PLATE 12 - PLAN OF KURUHINNA, GAN

23 PLATE 13 - PLAN OF KURUHINNA DAGABA

24 PLATE 14 - KURUHINNA DAGABA - WEST ELEVATION

25 PLATE 15 - KURUHINNA DAGABA - SECTION THROUGH A-B

26 PLATE 16 - PLAN OF KURUHINNA RUIN A, RUIN B AND MOULDING SECTION THROUGH A-B

27 PLATE 17 - PLAN OF RUINS IN MUNDU

28 PLATE 18 - PLAN - MUNDU DAGABA

29 PLATE 19 - MUNDU DAGABA - EAST ELEVATION

30 PLATE 20 - MUNDU DAGABA SECTION THROUGH A-B

31 PLATE 21- MUNDU ISLAND - PLAN, SECTION THROUGH A-B OF WELL AND ITS MOULDING

32 PHOTOGRAPHS

Photograph 1: Gan Dagaba - South View

Photograph 2: Gan Dagaba - South - Cleared

Photograph 3: Gan Dagaba - South West

Photograph 4: Gan Privena - North East - Cleared

Photograph 5: Gan Privena - South West - Cleared

Photograph 6: Gan Privena - South East - Cleared

Photograph 7: Gan Privena - South East - Mouldings

Photograph 8: Gan Privena - North East - Cleared 37

Photograph 9: Gan Vihara - North - Excavated

Photograph 10: Gan Vihara - South - Excavated - Mouldings

Photograph 11: Gan Vihara - Mouldings

Photograph 12: Gan Vihara - South - Porch

Photograph 13: Gan Vihara - Gan Vihara - Porch - South East - Excavated

Photograph 14: Gan Kuruhinna Dagaba - North - Cleared

Photograph 15: Gan Kuruhinna Dagaba - South - Cleared

Photograph 16: Gan Kuruhinna Dagaba - East - Cleared

41 Photograph 17: Gan Kuruhinna Dagaba - West - Cleared

Photograph 18: Gan Kuruhinna Dagaba- West - Uncleared

Photograph 19: Gan Kuruhinna Dagaba - Mouldings

Photograph 20: Gan Kuruhinna - Ruin A - East - Cleared 43

Photograph 21: Gan Kuruhinna - Ruin B - Mouldings

Photograph 22: Gan Kuruhinna - Ruin A & B - South East - Cleared

Photograph 23: Mundu Dagaba - North East - Cleared

Photograph 24: Mundu Dagaba - South East - Cleared

Photograph 25: Mundu Mosque - South West

Photograph 26: Gan Ruins - Asana & Indrikila-Gala

Photograph 27: Gan Ruins - Teli & Padmasana 46

Photograph 28: Gan Ruins - Rumba, China Jar

Photograph 29: Gan Ruins - Post Heads

Photograph 30: Gan Ruins - Pillar Capitals

Photograph 31: Gan Ruins - Sedent Buddha

Photograph 32: Gan Ruins - Face of Buddha

Photograph 33: Gan & Mundu - Beads

Photograph 34: Gan Kuruhinna - Karanduva

Photograph 35: Gan Kuruhinna - Karanduva - Beads

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