Performance Report 2014 (A Brief Performance Report of the Key Sections and the Provincial Offices Belong to the Department of Archaeology)
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Performance Report 2014 (A brief performance report of the key sections and the provincial offices belong to The Department of Archaeology) Project Monitoring & Evaluation Division (Planning Division) Department of Archaeology Colombo - 07 Table of contents Page number Department of Archaeology (Vision, Mission, Objectives) 157 - 160 Exploration and Documentation Division 161 - 166 Excavation Division 167 - 171 Museum Services Division 172 - 174 Architectural Conservation Division 175 - 185 Chemical Preservation Division 186 - 190 Epigraphy and Numismatics Division 191 - 193 Maintenance Division 194 - 204 Promotional Division 205 - 207 Accounts Division 208 - 209 Administration Division 210 - 214 Project Monitoring & Evaluation Division 215 - 219 Legal Division 220 - 229 Performance Report - 2014 157 Department of Archaeology Vision The vision of the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka is to promote proper management of Sri Lanka‟s archeological heritage. Mission The mission of the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka is to function as Sri Lanka‟s apex institution and chief regulatory body for the management of its archaeological heritage. Objectives In order to fulfill its mission, the objectives of the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka are; 1) Development of resources (i.) Human (ii.) Institutional 2) Protection of the total archaeological heritage of Sri Lanka 3) Inventorisation of the archaeological heritage of Sri Lanka (i.) Archaeological sites and Monuments (ii.) Movable antiquities 4) Enhancement of public awareness of the archaeological heritage of Sri Lanka 5) Conservation and maintenance of sites/monuments and movable antiquities 6) Researches Divisions dedicated to fulfilling the objectives of the Department Academic Divisions None Academic Divisions Exploration and Documentation Division Accounts Division Excavation Division Administration Division Museum Services Division Project Monitoring & Evaluation Division Legal Division Architectural Conservation Division Chemical Preservation Division Epigraphy and Numismatics Division Maintenance Division Promotional Division Provincial offices under the purview of the Department 1. Western Province 2. Central Province 3. Southern Province 4. Northern Province 5. North Western Province 6. North Central Province 7. Uva Province 8. Sabaragamuwa Province 9. Eastern Province Performance Report - 2014 158 Zonal offices which are coming under the purview of the Provincial offices 1. Western Province No. 01 - Negombo Zone No. 02 - Attanagalla Zone No. 03 - Kotte Zone No. 04- Colombo Special Zone No. 05- Raigam Zone 2. Central Province No. 01 - Sigiriya Zone No. 02 - Dambulla Zone No. 03 - Galewela Zone No. 04 - Nalanda Zone No. 05 - Kandy Zone No. 06 - Kandy Special Zone No. 07 - Udunuwara Zone No. 08 - Yatinuwara Zone No. 09 - Kundasale Zone No. 10 - Hanguranketha Zone No. 11 - Kothmale Zone 3. Southern Province No. 01 - Hikkaduwa Zone No. 02 - Galle Zone No. 03 - Galle Fort Special Zone No. 04 - Matara Zone No.05 - Katuwana Zone No. 06 - Hambanthota Zone No.07 - Thissamaharama Zone 4. Northern Province No. 01 - Jaffna Zone No. 02 - Kilinochchi Zone No. 03 - Mullaitivu Zone No. 04 - Mannar Zone No. 05 - Vavuniya Zone No. 06 - Delft Zone 5. North Western Province No. 01 - Puttalam Zone No. 02 - Anamaduwa Zone No. 03 - Rajanganaya Zone No. 04 - Yapahuwa Zone No. 05 - Arankele Zone No. 06 - Kurunegala Zone No. 07 - Panduwasnuwara Zone No. 08 - Dambadeniya Zone No. 09 - Chilaw Zone Performance Report - 2014 159 6. North Central Province No. 01 - Padaviya Zone No. 02 - Kokebe Zone No. 03 - Mihinthalaya Zone No. 04 - Anuradhapura Zone No. 05 - Anuradhapura Special Zone No. 06 - Thanthirimale Zone No. 07 - Ritigala Zone No. 08 - Medirigiriya Zone No. 09 - Polonnaruwa special Zone No. 10 - Polonnaruwa Zone No. 11 - Dimbulagala Zone 7. Uva Province No. 01 - Mahiyanganaya Zone No. 02 - Badulla Zone No. 03 - Haputhale Zone No. 04 - Buduruwagala Zone No. 05 - Maligawila Zone No. 06 - Galabedda Zone No. 07 Bibile Zone 8. Sabaragamuwa Province No. 01 - Mawanella Zone No. 02 - Dedigama Zone No. 03 - Seethawaka Zone No. 04 - Rathnapura Zone No. 05 - Budugala Zone No. 06 - Maduwanwela Zone 9. Eastern Province No. 01 - Trincomalee Zone No. 02 - Seruwila Zone No. 03 - Batticaloa Zone No. 04 - Padiyathalawa Zone No. 05 - Ampara / Rajagala Zone No. 06 - Deegawapi Zone No. 07 - Lahugala Zone Performance Report - 2014 160 Exploration and Documentation Division Functions of the Division 1. Conducting of special and urgent explorations. 2. Declaring of archaeological reserves. 3. Declaring of archaeological reserves and monuments as protected monuments. 4. Preventing of destruction of antiquities and implementing the provisions of the Antiquities Ordinance against the destruction of antiquities. 5. Conducting of Archaeological Impact Assessment surveys. 6. Providing of recommendations after making inspections in suggested lands for Mineral Projects. 7. Collecting of geographical information with regard to archaeological sites and monuments and preparing maps. 8. Conducting of marine explorations. 9. Exploring of the ancient irrigational heritage and preparing a task to ensure its protection. 10. Documentating of movable antiquities 11. Answering for the problems regarding the archaeological sites and monuments in the Districts and handling of administrative affairs. The projects which were carried out in 2014 Course of Advanced diving (Aids of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority) The Godavaya Shipwreck Excavation (Provisions of Texas and Sorbonne universities in America and France respectively) 2013-2014 It has been identified that the shipwreck in the sea around Godavaya dates back to 2200 years. Short term studies and experiments have been made up to the year 2008 regarding the shipwreck identified in 2003. Preliminary investigations have been commenced in 2009 by the Marine Archaeological Exploration unit of the Department of Archaeology and the Nautical Archaeology Institution of the University of Texas in the U.S.A as a joint venture. The excavations and data analyzing have been commenced in 2013 and 2014 immediately after the first academic study made between 2010 and 2013 years. Historical Background According to the archaeological factors revealed from the site, it can be determined as the ancient maritime archaeology site in the region of Asia Pacific.According to the dating test it is determined that the shipwreck dates back to 2200 years of history. The inscriptions in the Gotapabbatha temple in Godavaya are proven factors to confirm that there was a harbor in the related area. These inscriptions, Chronicles as well as this shipwreck can be considered as major archaeological factors to prove the stretch of the Silk Route within this area before thousands of years. Archaeological researches which were carried out in 2013-2014 Mapping of location of the wreck and collecting of data have been completed by this research. Marking of antiquities which were found by excavations on the map, handing over the resurfaced antiquities to the Architectural Conservation Division in the Department of Archaeology and carrying out post analysis have been completed in addition to the above. Benefits of the projects This shipwreck is the only ancient marine archaeological site which has been found in the region of Asia Pacific therefore promoting of researches related to local and foreign naval affairs in an ancient Sri Lanka are based on that valued fact. Confirming of the factors in historical sources connected with the naval history in ancient Sri Lanka by physical factors. Development of physical and human resources in the subject of Sri Lanka Marine Archaeology, local marine archaeologists can be obtained experience and technological knowledge of foreign marine archaeologists‟. Obtaining a higher education on Marine Archaeology, development of museums, laboratory and tourism. Performance Report - 2014 161 The project, which is the ancient marine archaeological site in Asia, was conducted under the financial and technical support of an oldest research institution of Marine Archaeology and well experienced marine archaeologists as well as the physical resource contributor was the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (INA). Advanced diving courses of Sri Lanka marine archaeologists and other special courses (Nitrox courses) were carried out in line with this project. Well qualified divers who have been discovered this site for the first time recruited to the field activities on an ad hoc basis. The project was unable to continue in 2015 due to technological, physical and theoretical factors. The excavations and researches are to be started again. Project for recording of archaeological sites - Ampara District Identifying and recording of sites by Divisional Secretary‟s Division base in Ampara district have been carried out by the Department of Archaeology, Ministry of National Heritage and an Antiquities Protection Unit as a joint venture in 2013 and 2014. The number of 427 archaeological sites has been recorded by this project. Megalithic Burial which was identified from Uhana in Bandaraduwa is a very significant archaeological site. Many identified archaeological sites represent constructions of early Anuradhapura era and caves with Paintings dates back to Pre Historic era have been identified. The number of 327 archaeological reserves with ancient monuments, among identified sites have been declared in accordance