Ibbankatuwa Ancient Burial Site

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Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Burial Site made a pubic attraction in 2017
photo credits : www.lakdana.lk

Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Burial Site is an important prehistoric cemetery near Dambulla, dating to about 700–400 BCE. The site contains stone-lined graves, pottery, iron tools, and ornaments, offering rare insight into the burial customs, technology, and early cultural traditions of Sri Lanka’s ancient megalithic communities.

Located approximately five kilometers before reaching Dambulla town on the Kurunegala-Dambulla road, the Ibbankatuwa Ancient Burial Ground is an archaeological site that offers insight into Sri Lanka’s prehistory. A signboard maintained by the Department of Archaeology marks the turn-off from the main road, and the burial site is accessible via a 500-meter drive down a shaded lane leading towards Ibbankatuwa Wewa Reservoir.

This site, covering around two acres, is home to a large number of cist burials—stone tombs built by placing four upright slabs and a flat stone cover on top. Archaeological excavations have unearthed about 10 tombs so far, dating them to the Early Iron Age between 600 BCE and 450 BCE (Prematilleke et al., 2007).

Each burial chamber often contains grave goods, such as clay pots, beads, necklaces, and personal artifacts—an echo of burial customs seen in other ancient civilizations like Egypt. Some of the beads found in the tombs are made from gemstones that are only found in India, suggesting trade or cultural links between early Sri Lankans and the Indian subcontinent during this period.

Burial Practices

Ibbankatuwa is one of several prehistoric and protohistoric burial sites found across Sri Lanka. These sites reveal two distinct types of burial traditions: urn burials, where human remains were placed in large clay urns, and cist burials, where cremated ashes were interred in underground stone tombs.

Archaeological Discoveries and Societal Clues

Extensive research has revealed that the Ibbankatuwa complex spans nearly 1 square kilometer and contains 42 clusters of cist tombs, with each cluster housing approximately 10 tombs. Many tombs were found intact with their capstones undisturbed. Some also included terracotta urns containing cremated remains and grave offerings such as iron tools, copper and gold items, and beads made from materials like onyx, agate, carnelian, quartz, glass, and terracotta. The presence of imported materials further supports the idea that these people had established trade connections beyond Sri Lanka.

Findings at the site suggest possible socio-economic differentiation within the community. For instance, the largest cist burial uncovered included gold items and imported beads, along with a symbolic marking on the capstone. In contrast, medium-sized burials contained fewer pots and locally made terracotta beads, indicating individuals of more modest social status. Some tombs were very simple, containing only ashes, possibly pointing to minimal ceremonial treatment for certain individuals.

Evidence of Settlement and Agriculture

Although no large settlement has yet been discovered in the immediate vicinity of Ibbankatuwa, evidence points to the presence of a small, possibly specialized community. The discovery of a small man-made reservoir near the cemetery and traces of edible rice husks suggests that the people here practiced agriculture, particularly rice cultivation.

Connection to Dambulla and Early Buddhism

Scholars also speculate on a possible connection between the Ibbankatuwa burial ground and the Dambulla cave temple complex, located just 3 kilometers away. The caves are among the earliest Buddhist monastic sites in Sri Lanka, with inscriptions dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE. This proximity raises questions about cultural continuity and the role the Ibbankatuwa community may have played in the region’s religious evolution.

References

Prematilleke, L., Bandaranayake, S., Deraniyagala, S. U., & Silva, R. (Eds.). (2007). History and Archaeology of Sri Lanka : Volume II : the Art and Archaeology of Sri Lanka 1 (Vol. II). The Central Cultural Fund (Ministry of Cultural Affairs).

Also See

Pre Historic Burial Sites of Sri Lanka

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