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Rendamvayikkal Paddy Field Archaeological Ruins (රෙන්ඩාම්වයික්කාල් පුරාවිද්‍යා නටබුන්)

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Rendamvayikkal Paddy Field Archaeological Ruins

Located near the Kunjankalkulama Reservoir, this Anuradhapura-era complex features a 10×8 m rectangular structure with sixteen short stone pillars. Despite paddy cultivation encroachment and unauthorized digging, ancient grinding stones and conical-shaped cavities on the rocks suggest a settlement related to early hydraulic civilization.

The building ruins at the Rendamvayikkal paddy field tract, located in Madurankulam within the Madurankenikulam 211-B Grama Niladhari Division of Korale Pattu North (Vakare) Divisional Seceratiat, represent the remains of a building dating to the Anuradhapura Period. The site preserves architectural evidence associated with ancient settlement activity in the region surrounding the Kunjankalkulama Wewa Reservoir.

Access Route

Travel from Vakare along the Batticaloa (A15) road until reaching the Navy camp located near the 52 km (32.3 miles) milestone. Directly opposite the camp, turn right onto the Madurankulam road and continue for approximately 7 km (4.3 miles) until reaching the junction near the Kunjankalkulama Wewa Reservoir. From there, turn right and travel towards Madurankenikulam Reservoir. Walk for about half the distance along the reservoir bund before turning onto the track leading toward the paddy fields. Continue on foot for about 300 m (0.2 miles) to reach the site.

Historical Background

The architectural characteristics of the ruins, together with the conical cavities found on the nearby rock plateau and the presence of grinding stones, indicate that the site belongs to the Anuradhapura Period.

Archaeological Evidence

The surviving structure is rectangular in plan and measures approximately 10 m × 8 m (32.8 × 26.2 feet). It was constructed using short stone pillars standing about 50 cm (19.7 inches) in height. The pillars are arranged in a layout consisting of five pillars along one side and four along the other. A total of sixteen pillars associated with the principal structure remain visible at the site. The ruins have been excavated by treasure hunters.

As the paddy fields have been expanded up to the immediate vicinity of the structure, it is likely that additional archaeological evidence has already been damaged or destroyed. Local residents identify the paddy field area containing the monument by the name Rendamvayikkal.

Approximately 500 m (0.31 miles) from the monument toward the reservoir, near the canal, a small rocky surface contains several conical-shaped cavities and grinding marks.

Geographical Coordinates

The exact location of the site is as follows:

North Latitude: 8°03′10.8″ N
East Longitude: 81°23′25.6″ E

References

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

Also See

Traveling Directions to Rendamvayikkal Paddy Field Archaeological Ruins

Route from Trincomalee to Rendamvayikkal Paddy Field Archaeological Ruins

Through: Mutur – Senunuwara – Vakare
Distance: 95 km
Travel time: 2.20 hours
Driving directions : see on Google Maps

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