Kavethradapathnai Forest Archaeological Site 2 in Kiran

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Kavetradapathnai Forest Archaeological Site 2 in Kiran

The Anurādhapura-period Kavetradapathnai Forest Site 2 in Kiran spans 300 square meters. It features two structures with short stone pillars, including 11 upright pillars, and an enigmatic, primitive stone-slab structure believed to predate the Anurādhapura era.

The Kavetradapathnai Forest Archaeological Site (no. 2) is located in the village of Muruthtthanai, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Muruthtthanai 209-A, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu South (Kiran).

Access Route

From Kiran Junction, travel along the Thureiyadi Road. At Pulipanchakal Junction, turn right and continue through the Napaththawil Wewa reservoir area to reach the indigenous village of Muruthtthanai. Proceed beyond the village for approximately 20 km (12.4 miles) until reaching a three-way junction with the road leading to Kudumbimalai. Continue for about 500 meters (0.3 miles) along the Kudumbimalai Road and then enter the Kavetradapathnai Forest using footpaths branching off from the right side of the road. Walk approximately 500 meters (0.3 miles) through the forest to reach the site. Access to the location is difficult, as there is no clearly defined road network.

Historical Background

The ruins within the Kavetradapathnai Forest exhibit architectural characteristics associated with the Anuradhapura period. In addition to these structures, the site also contains an unidentified construction built from rough stone slabs, which appears to belong to an even earlier period.

Location of the Site and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The absence of a defined access route makes it difficult to determine the full extent of the archaeological remains. Nevertheless, ruins and artifacts can be identified across an area of approximately 300 square meters (3,230 square feet) within the forest.

The site contains two buildings constructed with stone pillars, as well as an area where stone slabs and fragments of pillars appear to have been gathered. These structures were built using relatively short and roughly fashioned stone pillars. In one of the buildings, 11 pillars remain standing in their original positions, providing valuable evidence of the original layout.

Approximately 100 meters (330 feet) southeast of these buildings is a primitive stone structure constructed from large, roughly shaped stone slabs. The purpose of this structure remains unknown. However, based on its construction and appearance, it is believed to predate the Anuradhapura period.

The combination of Anuradhapura-period buildings and a possible earlier megalithic or protohistoric stone structure suggests that this forested area may have been occupied over an extended period, preserving evidence from multiple phases of human activity.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°52’59.9″N
East Longitude: 81°24’32.0″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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