Ranchamadama Prehistoric Canoe Burial Site

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Ranchamadama Prehistoric Canoe Burial Site at the Ranchamadama school
Photo Source : Thuppahi’s Blog

Discovered at a local school, the Ranchamadama site reveals a sophisticated 1359 BCE prehistoric community. Excavations uncovered unique oblong clay burial canoes which once housed numerous funerary urns. Located near the Rakwana mountains, this archaeological treasure provides vital insight into ancient Sri Lankan burial customs and early proto-historic settlement patterns.

Ranchamadama is a remote village located within the Kolonna Divisional Secretariat in the Ratnapura District. In the early 2000s, during excavation work carried out at Ranchamadama Vidyalaya to lay the foundation for a new building, several unusual clay artifacts were discovered. This marked the beginning of the identification of the Ranchamadama Prehistoric Burial Site.

Archaeological Discoveries in 2007

In 2007, archaeologists conducted formal excavations at the site and uncovered six clay burial canoes along with two burial pits. These burial canoes were oblong in shape and constructed using thin shells of fired clay slabs. Due to approximately 1 m (3.28 ft) of earth having been removed earlier to level the land for school construction, the burial canoes were found about 1 m below the present ground surface.

The burial ground is believed to extend across an area of approximately 30 × 40 m (98.4 × 131.2 ft) beneath the existing school buildings. However, the portion excavated by archaeologists measured only 5 × 15 m (16.4 × 49.2 ft).

Burial Practices and Dating

The clay canoes were found to contain funerary urns. Each canoe held multiple urns, with some estimated to have contained up to 30 urns. Unfortunately, none of these urns have survived. Carbon dating has established that this burial site dates back to approximately 1359 BCE.

Preservation Efforts and Site Management

Following the excavations, it was reported that the site within the school premises had been refilled, leaving only the upper sections of the clay burial walls exposed. To protect the site, a large temporary shelter was constructed over it. Additionally, a new school building was erected at a separate location, allowing for the eventual demolition of the old structure and the continuation of archaeological investigations.

Location

When traveling from Ratnapura towards Ambilipitiya, the road leading to Ranchamadama can be accessed after passing the Udawalawe Junction and near the Maduwanwela Junction. The Ranchamadama School is situated approximately 7 km (4.35 miles) along the interior roads of Kolonna, within a valley bordered on the western side by several foothills of the Rakwana mountain range.

Further Excavations in 2009

In 2009, additional excavations were conducted at a location approximately 2.7 km (1.68 miles) along this road. This site was believed to represent part of the prehistoric settlement associated with the burial ground at Ranchamadama Vidyalaya. These investigations aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural practices of the community that utilized the protohistoric canoe burial system discovered within the school premises.

For more information on this site check here.

Also See

Pre Historic Burial Sites of Sri Lanka

Map of the Ranchamadama Prehistoric Burial Site

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Travelling Directions to the Ranchamadama Prehistoric Burial Site

Route 1 from Colombo to Ranchamadama Prehistoric Burial Site	Route 2 from Colombo to Ranchamadama Prehistoric Burial Site
Through : Southern Highway – Weeraketiya – Panamure Distance : 215 km Travel time : 4 hours Time to Spent ” 30 Mins Driving directions : see on google maps	Through : Ratnapura – Pelmadulla Distance : 161 km Travel time : 4.30 hours Time to Spent ” 30 Mins Driving directions : see on google maps