Uda Ranchamadama Prehistoric House Site – උඩ රංචමඩම ආදී මානව නිවස

Ranchamadama is a remote village in Kolonna area which unheard by many until early 2000’s, when the Ranchamadama Vidyalaya dug its land for a foundation of a  new building, and discovered some unusual clay artifacts which began the journey of the discovering of the Ranchamadama Prehistoric Burial Site. in 2007, archaeologists who carried out excavations of the site  discovered 6 clay burial canoes and 2 burial pits.

Not stopping at this finding, a team of archaeologists led by Prof. Raj Somadewa carried out further excavations in 2008  on the premises of Sri Jayabodharama Viharaya in the area locally known as Udahagoda to understand the culture of the people who used burial site at Ranchamadama school premises. Also known as Uda-Ranchamadama, Udahagoda Jayabodharama Viharaya lies 2.7 km away from the proto historic canoe burial site at Ranchamadama Vidyalaya on the same road.

Excavations near the bikku residence of the temple has yielded a foundation of a house believed be of a high ranking member of then society. The foundation made out of rubble is roughly 10×7 meters. Based on the foundation which divided inner space of the house , a living room, 2 rooms and a kitchen has been identified. The front of the house had taken a semi circular shape.  4 post holes had been discovered at the rear of the house, 1 meter away from the foundation. These posts have supported an extended roof of the house, this area serving as the kitchen.

This excavation of the house has also yielded large amount of clay earthenware, beads, parts of a clay figurine, a collection of painted pot shreds, stone microlithic blades, three grinding stones with their pestles and some highly corroded iron tools. Carbon dating on the charcoal found in the kitchen and dated this site to 1125 ± 104 BC

Unlike the Ranchamadama School Burial Site, this site is still open and covered with a roof.

Also See

• Prehistoric Sites of Sri Lanka
• Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
• Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity

Map of the Uda Ranchamadama Prehistoric House Site

Traveling Directions to the Uda Ranchamadama Prehistoric House Site

Route from Colombo to Uda Ranchamadama Prehistoric House Site (Up to the turn off to Ranchamadama Villagage)	Route from Ambilipitiya to Uda Ranchamadama Prehistoric House Site (Up to the turn off to Ranchamadama Villagage)
Through : Ratnapura – Pelmadulla – Udawalawe Junction Distance : 165 km Travel time : 4,30 hours Time to Spent ” 30 Mins Driving directions : see on google maps	Through : Pelmadulla Road Distance : 7  km Travel time : 10 mins Time to Spent ” 30 Mins Driving directions : see on google maps