Muruthtthanai Cave with Indigenous Art (මුරුත්තානෛ ආදිවාසී චිත්‍ර සහිත ලෙණ)

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Located in a Kiran jungle, this historic cave features an ancient Brahmi inscription recording its donation to the Maha Sangha. It also contains distinct, well-preserved animal rock art. Because the pigments show minimal deterioration, these paintings are attributed to a later period, created by the region’s indigenous Vedda community.

The Cave with Indigenous Cave Art Muruthtthanai 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 the Pulipañchakal Junction, turn right and continue through the Nāpathtthāwil Wewa Reservoir area and Akkuraṇai to reach the Indigenous village of Miniminiththāweli. After continuing approximately 10 kilometers along the Akkuranai Road, turn right and proceed into the jungle. The cave can be reached after trekking about 3.5 kilometers through the forest.

Historical Background

The cave with a Brahmi inscription carved on the lip of the cave records its donation to the Maha Sangha. The paintings found within the cave cannot be dated to the same period as the inscription. Since some of the pigments used in the animal figures remain relatively well preserved and show only limited deterioration, and because this region is known to have been inhabited by Indigenous Veddha communities, these paintings are believed to belong to a later period and are thought to have been created by the Veddhas.

The presence of tenon slots carved into the northern side of the cave roof, together with the scattered brick remains found around the cave, indicates that a brick-built cave dwelling once existed at this site in the ancient period.

Primitive paintings executed in red, yellow, and white pigments can still be seen on the walls of the cave. These paintings represent an additional phase of human activity at the site and contribute to its archaeological significance.

Fragments of clay pots and red-slipped pottery are also scattered throughout the surrounding area, providing further evidence of past occupation. In addition, several conical holes have been identified on a rock outcrop located to the north of the cave.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°54’03.1″N
East Longitude: 81°22’49.0″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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Map of the Muruthtthanai Cave with Indigenous Art

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Traveling Directions to Muruthtthanai Cave with Indigenous Art

Route from Polonnaruwa to Muruthtthanai Cave with Indigenous Art

Through: Manampitiya – Welikanda
Distance: 51 km
Travel time: 1.30 hour
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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Muruthtthanai Cave with Indigenous Art (මුරුත්තානෛ ආදිවාසී චිත්‍ර සහිත ලෙණ)
Deep in the Kiran jungle, this cave features a Brahmi inscription documenting its donation to the Maha Sangha. It also houses well-preserved animal rock art from a later period, believed to have been created by the region’s indigenous Vedda community. […]
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