Hambantota Mahagalwewa Megalithic Burial Site (හම්බන්තොට මහගල්වැව මෙගලිතික සුසාන භූමිය)

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Hambantota Mahagalwewa Megalithic Burial Site

Ancient burial sites known as megalithic cemeteries feature imposing prehistoric stone monuments called megaliths, serving as markers for the graves of the departed. Scattered across diverse global regions, these cemeteries hold profound archaeological importance, shedding light on burial customs, societal organization, and religious ideologies of antiquated civilizations.

The Hambantota Mahagalwewa Megalithic Cemetery is an ancient pre-historic burial site located bordering Mahagal Wewa Reservoir in Mahagalwewa Grama Niladhari Division of the Divisional Secretariat Division Sooriyawewa in Hambantota District.

In 2016 excavation of the cemetery belonging to Megalithic Tradition which is spread over 950 square meters was carried out by the Department of Archaeology.

In cist burials, the remains of the deceased, including vessels containing ashes or bone fragments, as well as other personal belongings used by the individual, are placed within a rectangular space formed by four stone slabs. A flat rock slab is then positioned over the burial to complete the structure. During excavations of Mahagalwewa Megalithic Cemetery, a total of cist 19 burial sites were uncovered. Out of the discovered cist burials, 3 were excavated. In addition to the cist burials, Clay Urn burials similar to the Pomporippu site were discovered outside the cist burials. Pieces of clay pots, glass beads, parts of tools made of iron, and burnt bones were uncovered inside these urns.

Based on carbon dating, the cemetery was dated to be of the periods between B.C. 361-178 BCE and 371-199 BCE.

One can speculate that the raw materials for the burials were sourced from the Gneiss rocks located approximately 200 meters away from this burial complex.

Inside the large urns, small clay pots are discovered. Among them, some are sealed with lids while others remain open. Additionally, the pottery found includes both Black and Red Ware (BRW) Pottery as well as Red Ware (RW) Pottery, marking distinct cultural features of prehistoric eras.

References

Alahakoon, A.D.M.S. (2016) ‘මහගල්වැව පුරාවිද්‍යා කැණීමෙන් පූර්ව ඓතිහාසික යුගයේ සාධක මතුවෙයි ’, දායාද – පුරාවිද්‍යා පුවත් අටුවාව , 10, pp. 1–2.
(2016) Performance Report 2016 (A summery report consisting the performance of the key divisions in the Department of Archaeology and provincial offices in the year of 2016). rep. Department of Archaeology.
(2017) Performance Report 2017 (A summery report consisting the performance of the key divisions in the Department of Archaeology and provincial offices in the year of 2017). rep. Department of Archaeology.

Also See

Pre Historic Burial Sites of Sri Lanka

Map of Hambantota Mahagalwewa Megalithic Burial Site

Please click on the button below to load the Dynamic Google Map (ගූගල් සිතියම් පහලින්)

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The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites

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Travel Directions to Hambantota Mahagalwewa Megalithic Burial Site

Route from Ampara to Mahagalwewa Megalithic Burial Site

Via : Uhana – Gonagolla
Distance : 28 km
Travel time : 40 minutes
Driving directions : see on Google map

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References

Also See

Map of Hambantota Mahagalwewa Megalithic Burial Site

Travel Directions to Hambantota Mahagalwewa Megalithic Burial Site

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