Emerging Evidence of Pre-Historic Civilisation in Srilanka – By Dr. Gnana Sankaralingam
It is told in history books that a group of exiles from Bengal arrived in Srilanka, over powered the inhabitants, set up their kingdom in Anuradhapura and started a glorious civilisation. Recent archaeological findings have emerged to the contrary to this established view point by proving the existence of ancinent civilisation prior to this. When 4000 year old civilisation is being unearthed along Vaigai and Thamiravaruni rivers in Tamil Nadu, which is only 25 miles away, to say that Srilanka remained uncivilised, cannot be accepted. In several parts of the world, civilisation took effect along rivers and Srilanka is not an exception to this phenomenon. The river plains in Srilanka where ancient civilisation had blossomed are along Aruvi Aru (Malwattu Oya) and Yan Oya, flowing out at Manthai and Pulmoddai respectively. Anuradhapura was made capital, as it was the centre of these two systems.
Archaeological evidence has surfaced that people who had lived in the island during ancient times were Veddhas in eastern, central and southern parts and Dravidians in the rest of the country. These Dravidians were of two types: Nagars (Town dwellers derived from the word nagaram meaning city) and Yakkars (Nomads derived from the word Iyakkam meaning movement). Genetic studies have concluded that both Sinhalese and Ceylon Tamils share a common ancestry and that their genetic constitution is similar and different to that of Indian Tamils. Civilisation emanating from these river basins, spread to nortrhern, north-eastern and north-western parts of the island. Several artefacts found in these areas, similar to in Tamil Nadu excavations show that people in Srilanka were connected.
Aruvi Aru basin is where the civilisation began with Manthai as the oldest port city. In 2018, megalithic burial site in Pallipothana near Kahatagasdigiliya, uncovered several artefacts relating to Iron and Copper use, carbon dated to be around 3000 years. Slag found in Manthai dated to 1800 BC indicate knowledge of copper works. Manthai was a megalithic settlement by 1800 BC, but had transformed into proto-history by 2nd century BC. Numerous proto-historic artefacts have been found in several sites around Manthai such as Murunkan, Vidalthaltivu, Sengalpattu, Kovilkulam, Kalladi, Attathivu etc containing potsherds of red and black ware similar to those discovered in Indus Valley and South India. Near Ketheeswaram temple, several geometric tools and remains of marine animals were unearthed.
In Anaikoddai megalithic burial ground, pots with potsherds of red and white ware, shells, copper rod and seal in Tamil Brahmi inscription and grafitti symbol were found, dated to 1000 BC. In 2009 at Velanai, 3400 year old human remains were unearthed in shell midden. In Kantharodai megalithic site, similar to those in Amarawati and Nagarjunakonda in India, carbon dating fixed that it commenced in 1300 BC, one millenium before advent of Buddhism, and the settlement an extension of Megalithic culture of South India. Megalithic urn burials and potsherds of red and black ware were also found in Manal Aru in Mullaithivu district and Kathiraveli in Batticaloa district, which were dated to 3rd century BC. Three sites in Anuradhapura dated as 1000 BC, had artefacts of iron and high grade pottery.
Yan Oya plains have been an area of great attraction to early proto-historic iron age and megalithic communities with adaptive strategy contributing to the foundation of cultural landscape of the region. Evidence in Yan Oya points to a series of three patterns or phases where the community in this region developed from a nomadic or semi-nomadic pastoral existence to a secondary village based agro-pastoral subsistence. Many stone burial sites and pre-historic settlements have been located in the area. Charcoal samples from cist burial tombs have been dated to 790 BC. Excavations have detected black and red potsherds of various shapes as well as beads of glass of blue, green and pruple and ivory and carnelian, similar to those found in Tamil Nadu. Stone inscriptions in Tamil Brahmi with graffiti symbols similar to Indus valley seals (double trident, double tailed fish or tortoise) were unearthed in the area. Tamil Brahmi inscriptions found refer to craftsmen engaged in making implements for clearing the terrain for habitation and ploughing the earth for agriculture.
Civilisation had spread to other parts of the the land as evidenced by several megalithic burial sites and presence of artefacts such as red and black wares and stone and metal tools. Complete human skeletal remains carbon dated as 4000 years was unearthed in Minie-Ethiliya in Magampura, covered by shells. In 2007 at Embilipitiya, slag graves dated as 3,300 years was found, together with artefacts of wares and tools. In Haldumulla, number of clay graves were found together with triangular shaped Microlith. In Ibbankatuwa, graves of large flat stone slabs were found together with potsherds and bead necklace. 3500 years old ferry capable of carrying about 150 passengers was discovered in Attanagalla.
It is said that Veddhas were hunter gatherers with a primitive life style. This is being proved wrong as rice and kurakkan were found in the cave in Bulathsinhala and barley and oats were found in the cave in Horton plains, dated to be 15,000 years ago. Geometric microliths found in Africa were found in caves in Belihul Oya and Kuruwita, dated as 25,000 years old. Inscriptions in Tamil Brahmi in caves used by Veddhas in Kumana and Medagama indicate that they had aimed at literacy. Archaeological study in Seruwavila, area inhabited by Veddhas revealed of settlements going back to 8th century BC. In Vaharai, seat of rule of Veddhas was found. In Iranaimadu and Bundala, small flake tools and tools made of quartz and chert were found, which were assigned to the middle palaeolithic period.
Megalithism is a cultural phenomenon associated with mortuary rituals. This practice that originated in neolithic period, occur widely in various places in the world such as Mesopotamia, Indus Valley and Indian subcontinenet, reflecting cultural identity of early proto-historic iron age communities. Presence of these sites which have been designated as hallmarks of Dravidian civilisation in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, indicate continuity of human settlelment. Brahmi script which has now been established as originating from Tamil Nadu is found in rock, cave, pillar and slab inscriptions in several regions from 3rd century BC to 10th century AD, whereas Prakrit appears only after introduction of Buddhism. Extensive surveys using modern equipment and foreign expertise is required to ascertain the truth, as there is absence of evidence of any culture than Dravidian during proto-historic times.
