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Miniminiththaweli Archaeological Site 1 in Kiran (මිනිමිණිත්තවේලි පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)

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Miniminiththaweli Archaeological Site in Kiran

The Anurādhapura-era Miniminiththāweli site 1 in Kiran features a historic building complex heavily damaged by forest gravel road construction. This development destroyed the site’s archaeological context and displaced ancient artifacts, including a stone-carved flower altar bulldozed to the roadside.

The Miniminiththāweli Archaeological Site 1 is located in the village of Miniminiththāweli, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Muruthtthanai 209-A, in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu South (Kiran), Batticaloa District.

Access Route

From Kiran Junction, travel along the Thureiyadi road. At the Pulipañchakal Junction, turn right and continue through the Nāpathtthāwil Wewa Reservoir area and Akkuraṇai to reach the Indigenous village of Miniminiththāweli. The village can also be reached via the Akkaraihēwa road. The archaeological site is situated a short distance from the village and can be accessed by a gravel road passing through the forest.

Historical Background

An examination of the architectural characteristics of the artifacts found in the area confirms the existence of a building complex belonging to the Anurādhapura period.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The gravel road has been constructed directly across the archaeological ruins, destroying the original structures. Numerous artifacts have been displaced during road construction activities. Among them is a stone-carved flower altar, which has been bulldozed out of the road and now lies beside the gravel road.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°55’20.8″N
East Longitude: 81°21’35.2″E

References

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

Also See

Map of the Miniminiththaweli Archaeological Site 1 in Kiran

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Traveling Directions to Miniminiththaweli Archaeological Site 1 in Kiran

Route from Polonnaruwa to Miniminiththaweli Archaeological Site 1 in Kiran

Through: Manampitiya – Welikanda
Distance: 56 km
Travel time: 1 hour
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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