Ptolemy’s Sri Lankan Map (Ptolemy Sri Lanka Map) created by  Claudius Ptolemy is the most famous historical map of this island nation. Ptolemy created this map in 139 AD. The Greeks called Sri Lanka Taprobana or Taprobane. Ptolemy Ptolemy got the basic idea of the Sri Lankan map from the known world map created by Eratosthenes. […]

Eratosthenes This map is the first known map that Sri Lanka geographically appears on a map. Eratosthenes (276 to 196 BC) created it in 194 BC and later adopted by Ptolemy in 139 AD. This map is famous as the Eratosthenes’ map of the (for the Greeks) known world. The Eratosthenes of Cyrene is best […]

The sight of the old brick stupa standing tall and proud in the middle of a vast spread of paddy land was a pleasant sight. The bright blue sky that stood up as a back drop would contrast highly against the dark brick colour of the stupa. The name of this place is Dematamal Vihara … Continue reading Female Guardians of Ancient Sri Lanka →

“I have always believed that it is the artist who creates a work, but a society that turns it into a work of art.”  – Johannes Cladders Nagalakanda Raja Maha Vihara is a fascinating archaeological site located in the Minneriya town, North Central Province. This archaeological site can be reached once you pass the Minneriya … Continue reading Seeing Perfection in Imperfection; Nagalakanda ruins, Minneriya →

The Northern and Eastern plain of the island is blessed with an abundance of cultural and natural heritage. The golden era of the country’s civilisation sprang into life in these areas, leaving a massive number of archaeological ruins all over the region. Ampara is one of the districts in Eastern Sri Lanka with a high … Continue reading Temple by the Sea; Pothuvil Muhudu Maha Viharaya →

“Without education, we are in a horrible and deadly danger of taking educated people seriously.” – G.K. Chesterton The strange stillness of the atmosphere was disturbed only by the sound of the wind and the hasty footsteps disturbing the sandy ground of the arid river bed. The wind was dry and warm. The scorching sun, … Continue reading ‘Discovering’ the Discovered; Budupatuna archaeological ruins →

Stupas are no doubt wonderful architectural structures. White washed beaming dome shaped stupas are a common sight in the rural Sri Lankan landscape. Even amidst the urban buzz in cities like Colombo, one can witness small white domes under the blazing sun, still maintaining their pride in the midst of the ultra-urban cityscape. Although almost … Continue reading Stupas in all Shapes and Sizes →

The magnum opus of Dr. P. G. Punchihewa entitled: Anubudu Mihinu Mahimi -Mihindhu the high priest the second Buddha – in Sinhalese published by the Sarasavi Publishers was released recently.   Anubudhu Mihidhu Mahahimi is a much-awaited biography on the Arahath Mahinda who was instrumental in introducing Buddhism to our island. The earliest biography written […]

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Fortifications and the Landscape: A GIS Inventory and Mapping of Kandyan and Dutch Fortifications in Sri Lanka Extended Abstract H.M. Chryshane Mendis Master’s thesis MA Landscape and Heritage (Archaeology) Faculty of Humanities  (ACASA) University of Amsterdam Supervisors Prof. Jerzy Gawronski Dr. Lodewijk Wagenaar August 2020 The complete thesis can be downloaded from the university online […]

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is celebrated on 9 August every year. On this day the rights of indigenous people and their issues are addressed and solutions are sorted.  The International Labour Organisation defines Indigenous people as follows; ‘Indigenous people have their own cultures and institutions, which distinguish them from other parts … Continue reading Unheard Cries of the Children of the Forest →

“A professionalist is the better part of the perfectionist. He does not wait for results, he does not really care about criticism, but above all, he acts and does not rest on his laurels.” -Pawel Cislo On 7 July we celebrated the National Archaeology Day and the 130th anniversary of the Department of Archaeology which … Continue reading Corruption Hindering Preservation →