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Palakkadu Road Archaeological Site in Kiran (පාලක්කාඩු මාර්ගයේ පුරාවිද්‍යා භූමිය)

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Palakkadu Road Archaeological Site in Kiran

The Anurādhapura-period Palakkadu Road site in Kiran is split in two by a modern gravel road. It features nineteen surviving 1-meter-tall, roughly dressed stone pillars, which likely formed a 4×7 grid structure before being partially destroyed.

Palakkadu Road Archaeological Site 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 for approximately 10 km (6.2 miles) along the Akkuranai by-road. Then turn left onto the Palakkadu Road and continue for about 1 km (0.6 miles). The archaeological remains are located on both sides of the road.

Historical Background

The construction methods and architectural features of the structures at this site are consistent with those of the Anuradhapura period, indicating that the complex was built during that era.

Location and Nature of Archaeological Evidence

The gravel road connecting Muruthtthanai and Palakkadu has been constructed directly through the archaeological site, likely causing considerable damage and effectively dividing the ruins into two separate sections. As a result, structure remains can now be observed on both sides of the road.

One section of the site contains nineteen surviving stone pillars, while many of the remaining pillars appear to have been destroyed during the construction of the gravel road. Based on the surviving evidence, the structure seems to have been laid out in a 4 × 7 pillar arrangement, with pillars positioned at both ends of the building.

The pillars are roughly dressed and stand approximately 1 meter (3.3 feet) in height. Although much of the original structure has been lost, the surviving pillars provide clear evidence of an Anuradhapura-period building. The destruction caused by modern road construction has made it difficult to determine the full extent and original function of the complex.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 7° 53′ 04.0″ N
East Longitude: 81° 23′ 38.4″ 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 Palakkadu Road Archaeological Site in Kiran

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Traveling Directions to Palakkadu Road Archaeological Site in Kiran

Route from Batticaloa to Palakkadu Road Archaeological Site in Kiran

Through: Kiran – Muruthtthanai
Distance: 50 km
Travel time: 1.30 hour
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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