Heritage

Navalampitty Rock with Prehistoric Evidence in Kiran (කිරාන්හි නාවලම්පිඩ්ඩි ප්‍රාග් ඓතිහාසික සාධක ගල් පර්වතය)

The prehistoric Navalampitti ruins in Kiran, Batticaloa are located on a large rock outcrop. The habitation site features rugged natural caves used for shelter and rock pools for water, alongside abundant quartz flake deposits discarded from hunting and digging tool manufacturing.

The Prehistoric Ruins are located in the village of Navalampitti, within the Grāma Niladhāri Division of Thihilivaddai (200 A), in the Divisional Secretariat Division of Kōrale Pattu South (Kiran), Batticaloa District.

Access Route

From Eravur, turn left at the Santhiveli Piḷḷaiyār Kovil and travel approximately 800 meters (0.5 miles) towards a natural waterbody. Cross the waterbody using the Santhiveli–Kiran ferry service, which is capable of transporting vehicles. From the ferry landing, continue for approximately 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) to the Thihilivaddai School Junction. From there, travel a further approximately 600 meters (2,000 ft) along the Navalampitti Road to reach the large rock outcrop where the archaeological evidence is located.

Alternatively, the ferry may be avoided by travelling to Kiran and taking the Thoppigala Road. After approximately 1.2 kilometers (0.7 miles), you will reach a four-way junction. Rather than turning right towards the bridge over the Maduru Oya, turn left and continue along the road to reach the site.

Historical Background

The archaeological evidence at this site demonstrates how prehistoric communities made effective use of the natural environment to meet their basic needs.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

Prehistoric inhabitants followed a simple, opportunistic way of life, obtaining food and other necessities directly from the surrounding natural environment. They selected this location as a habitation site because the caves situated along the rugged slopes of the rock outcrop provided natural shelter, while nearby natural rock pools (kemi) supplied a reliable source of water.

The site also provides evidence that prehistoric people manufactured the stone tools required for hunting wild animals and digging for edible tubers. This is confirmed by the presence of quartz flake deposits. A large number of quartz flakes, discarded during the manufacture of stone tools, are scattered throughout the site, providing clear evidence of prehistoric stone tool production.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7°50’02.9″N
East Longitude: 81°31’32.9″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 Navalampitty Rock with Prehistoric Evidence in Kiran

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Traveling to the Navalampitty Rock with Prehistoric Evidence in Kiran

Route from Batticaloa to Navalampitty Rock with Prehistoric Evidence in Kiran

Through: Chenkaladi
Distance: 26 km
Travel time: 40 mins
Driving directions: see on Google Maps

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Navalampitty Rock with Prehistoric Evidence in Kiran (කිරාන්හි නාවලම්පිඩ්ඩි ප්‍රාග් ඓතිහාසික සාධක ගල් පර්වතය)
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