Abstract:
Inselbergs and other rock outcrops such as erratic boulders, granitic tors and corestones formed natural rock-shelters, and are
important in archaeological studies. These rock-shelters extensively used to prevent weather afflictions, and later converted as
living places by prehistoric man and the members of different faiths in the historical period. They left behind debris, tools and
other artifacts, which mark the footsteps of the civilization of humankind. By 5,000 yr BP civilized Yakka, Naga and Deva
natives who lived as natives in Sri Lanka have built separate sequestered settlements, and used rock shelters. Large numbers of
such natural rock shelters are found in Sigiriya and its environs. The natives, who used these rock shelters consecrated them to
Buddhist monks. These were widely used as monasteries during the Early Anuradhapura Period, especially between 2,300 yr
BP and 1,800 yr BP. Field observations of seven locations in the area reveal that the architects selected big holes and fractures
of the main rock outcrops or a shelter of a single boulder or clusters of boulders to construct comfortable monasteries. These
age-old monasteries have geoarcheological values, which reveal our buried cultures.
Description:
1Department of Geography, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
2Sigiriya Museum, Central Cultural Funds, Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
