Akkuranai Megalithic Burial Site in Kiran

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The Akkuranai Megalithic Burial Site in Kiran is a 1.2-hectare area surrounded by paddy fields. Though plundered by treasure hunters, it features at least six visible graves constructed from irregular stone slabs and numerous ancient pottery fragments.

The Akkuranai Megalithic Burial Site is located in the village of Akkuraṇai, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Muruthtthanai 209-A, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu South (Kiran) of Batticaloa District.

Access Route

From Kiran Junction, travel along the Thureiyadi Road and cross the Pulipanchakal Bridge. Continue past Miniminiththaweli to the indigenous village of Akkuranai. At Akkuranai Junction, take the road to the right and proceed for approximately 1 km (0.6 miles). From there, it is necessary to walk about 5 km (3.1 miles) northward through forested areas, paddy fields, and canal embankments. The site is situated on a flat plain surrounded by paddy lands.

Historical Background

This site represents a megalithic burial ground associated with the prehistoric period and provides evidence of human cultural activity during the Megalithic Age.

Location of the Site and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The archaeological remains are located on a slightly elevated plain. A marshy area lies to the east, while recently developed paddy fields surround the site on the remaining sides. Approximately 1.2 hectares (3 acres) have been demarcated as an archaeological reserve. Information gathered from the area suggests that the burials were once distributed across a large part of this land, although much of it has now been destroyed.

A burial chamber situated on the northern edge of the site has been severely damaged by unauthorized excavations carried out by treasure hunters. The resulting excavation pits have created earthen mounds approximately 2 meters (6.6 feet) high. Numerous fragments of ancient pottery are embedded within these disturbed soil deposits, and part of a relatively large clay vessel is visible on the northern side of the excavation.

Many pottery fragments and several components of stone structures can still be identified among the soil layers displaced by the treasure hunters’ activities.

To the south of this location are several additional burial mounds. These graves have been constructed using irregular stone slabs of varying dimensions, including slabs measuring approximately 1 meter (3.3 feet), 1.4 meters (4.6 feet), and 50 centimeters (1.6 feet) in length. At least six such burial sites are visible on the surface.

Stone slabs used in the construction of tombs, along with broken fragments of similar slabs, are scattered throughout the area. Based on the surviving evidence, it can be concluded that this location once formed part of an extensive prehistoric burial complex dating to the Megalithic Age.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°54’06.5″ N
East Longitude: 81°29’16.9″ E

References

Exploration and Documentation Division (Ed.). (2017). පුරාවිද්යා ස්ථාන හඳුනා ගැනීමේ ගවේෂණ වාර්තාව, මඩකලපුව දිස්ත්රික්කය. Department of Archaeology, Sri Lanka.

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