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Treasure trove of artefacts excavated at Sigiriya
View(s):Recent archaeological excavations at Sigiriya have uncovered fascinating artefacts hat shed new light into its rich past.
Story and pix by Kanchana Kumara Ariyadasa in Dambulla
Excavations conducted by the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) led to the discovery of a large number of artefacts; including a lion’s head made of terracotta, foreign coins, pebbles and many foreign and locally-made clay pots.
CCF Director General Prof. Prishantha Gunawardena said while only the lion’s paws remain in Sigiriya today, the discovery of the lion’s head gives an indication of what the statue would have once looked like.
He said the miniature lion’s head may have been given to visitors as a souvenir.
Prof. Gunawardena added that many of the newly discovered clay pots, were of foreign origin; it indicated he said, that King Kashyapa maintained strong international ties, with the Roman empire and Kingdoms of Central Asia,.
Excavations are currently being conducted in the vicinity of Sigiriya’s northern moat. CCF officials said remains of a building have already been discovered during these excavations.
The remains of a building have been discovered near Sigiriya’s northern moat
Prof. Gunawardena holds up the miniature lion’s head
Among the treasures unearthed was this terracotta lion’s head
Large numbers of clay pots dating back to the Roman empire have been found at the sites