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Prehistoric Human Settlement in Sri Lanka

1) Evidence shows that Balangoda Man arrived in Sri Lanka around 125,000 years ago as Mesolithic hunter-gatherers who lived in caves. Artifacts from these earliest inhabitants have been found in caves like Batadombalena. 2) During the protohistoric period between 1000-500 BCE, Sri Lanka was culturally united with southern India and shared cultural traits like megalithic burials, pottery, and farming techniques. 3) Archaeological evidence for the beginnings of the Iron Age in Sri Lanka is found at Anuradhapura, where a large settlement was founded before 900 BCE and expanded to 50 hectares by 700 BCE. This suggests the early establishment of agriculture and

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161 views1 page

Prehistoric Human Settlement in Sri Lanka

1) Evidence shows that Balangoda Man arrived in Sri Lanka around 125,000 years ago as Mesolithic hunter-gatherers who lived in caves. Artifacts from these earliest inhabitants have been found in caves like Batadombalena. 2) During the protohistoric period between 1000-500 BCE, Sri Lanka was culturally united with southern India and shared cultural traits like megalithic burials, pottery, and farming techniques. 3) Archaeological evidence for the beginnings of the Iron Age in Sri Lanka is found at Anuradhapura, where a large settlement was founded before 900 BCE and expanded to 50 hectares by 700 BCE. This suggests the early establishment of agriculture and

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  • Prehistory of Sri Lanka

Prehistory[edit]

Main article: Prehistory of Sri Lanka


Evidence of human colonization in Sri Lanka appears at the site of Balangoda. Balangoda
Man arrived on the island about 125,000 years ago and has been identified as Mesolithic hunter-
gatherers who lived in caves. Several of these caves, including the well-known Batadombalena and
the Fa Hien Cave, have yielded many artifacts from these people, who are currently the first known
inhabitants of the island.
Balangoda Man probably created Horton Plains, in the central hills, by burning the trees in order to
catch game. However, the discovery of oats and barley on the plains at about 15,000 BCE suggests
that agriculture had already developed at this early date. [6]
Several minute granite tools (about 4 centimetres in length), earthenware, remnants of charred
timber, and clay burial pots date to the Mesolithic. Human remains dating to 6000 BCE have been
discovered during recent excavations around a cave at Warana Raja Maha Vihara and in the
Kalatuwawa area.
Cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka and has been found in Ancient Egypt as early as 1500 BCE,
suggesting early trade between Egypt and the island's inhabitants. It is possible that
Biblical Tarshish was located on the island. James Emerson Tennent identified Tarshish with Galle.[7]
The protohistoric Early Iron Age appears to have established itself in South India by at least as early
as 1200 BCE, if not earlier (Possehl 1990; Deraniyagala 1992:734). The earliest manifestation of this
in Sri Lanka is radiocarbon-dated to c. 1000–800 BCE at Anuradhapura and Aligala shelter in
Sigiriya (Deraniyagala 1992:709-29; Karunaratne and Adikari 1994:58; Mogren 1994:39; with the
Anuradhapura dating corroborated by Coningham 1999). It is very likely that further investigations
will push back the Sri Lankan lower boundary to match that of South India. [8]
During the protohistoric period (1000-500 BCE) Sri Lanka was culturally united with southern India.,
[9]
 and shared the same megalithic burials, pottery, iron technology, farming techniques
and megalithic graffiti.[10][11] This cultural complex spread from southern India along with Dravidian
clans such as the Velir, prior to the migration of Prakrit speakers.[12][13][10]
Archaeological evidence for the beginnings of the Iron Age in Sri Lanka is found at Anuradhapura,
where a large city–settlement was founded before 900 BCE. The settlement was about 15 hectares
in 900 BCE, but by 700 BCE it had expanded to 50 hectares. [14] A similar site from the same period
has also been discovered near Aligala in Sigiriya.[15]
The hunter-gatherer people known as the Wanniyala-Aetto or Veddas, who still live in the central,
Uva and north-eastern parts of the island, are probably direct descendants of the first inhabitants,
Balangoda Man. They may have migrated to the island from the mainland around the time humans
spread from Africa to the Indian subcontinent.
Later Indo Aryan migrants developed a unique hydraulic civilization named Sinhala. Their
Achievements include the construction of the largest reservoirs and dams of the ancient world as
well as enormous pyramid-like stupa (dāgaba in Sinhala) architecture. This phase of Sri Lankan
culture may have seen the introduction of early Buddhism.[16]
Early history recorded in Buddhist scriptures refers to three visits by the Buddha to the island to see
the Naga Kings, snakes that can take the form of a human at will. [17]
The earliest surviving chronicles from the island, the Dipavamsa and the Mahavamsa, say
that Yakkhas, Nagas, Rakkhas and Devas inhabited the island prior to the migration of Indo Aryans.

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Early Dravidian and Indo Aryan migrations significantly shaped the cultural diversity of Sri Lanka by introducing new languages, technologies, and cultural practices . Dravidian influence is evident in shared agricultural and ironworking techniques, reflected in artifacts and settlement patterns. Indo Aryan migrations introduced new religious practices, particularly Buddhism, and innovations in architecture and governance . Exchanges between these groups and indigenous populations created a hybrid cultural landscape, reflecting diverse influences and enriching Sri Lanka's societal fabric.

The heritage of early human settlers such as the Balangoda Man influenced the island's later development through established practices in resource management and adaptation to the environment . When Indo-Aryan migrants arrived, these foundational practices were enhanced and transformed into sophisticated hydraulic systems and monumental architectural achievements, such as the pyramid-like stupa (dāgaba). This demonstrates a synthesis of indigenous knowledge with new technologies brought by later settlers, contributing to Sri Lanka's unique cultural landscape.

The early settlement and subsequent expansion at Anuradhapura, from 15 hectares in 900 BCE to 50 hectares by 700 BCE, reveal an emerging socio-political organization and urban planning indicative of complex societal structures in Sri Lanka . This development suggests increasing sophistication in governance and resource management. Compared to regional developments, Anuradhapura's growth mirrors the urbanization process in southern India, reflecting shared cultural and technological evolution, possibly facilitated by interactions and trade .

During the protohistoric period (1000-500 BCE), Sri Lanka was culturally united with southern India, characterized by shared megalithic burials, pottery, iron technology, farming techniques, and megalithic graffiti . The cultural complex spread from southern India with Dravidian clans such as the Velir before the migration of Prakrit speakers . This period also marked the early developments of the Iron Age in Sri Lanka, with archaeological evidence at Anuradhapura indicating a city-settlement established by 900 BCE . Further technological advancement was perhaps influenced by mutual exchanges with South India, as evidenced by similar developments across the regions.

The potential identity of Biblical Tarshish has been speculated by historians to be associated with Sri Lanka, particularly the city of Galle . This association is based on the historical trade routes and the island's reputation for valuable goods like cinnamon, which could have reached ancient civilizations such as those in the Levant . James Emerson Tennent identified Galle as Tarshish, correlating the geographical and commercial significance of the location with descriptions found in ancient texts .

The Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa chronicles are significant in reconstructing early Sri Lankan history as they document events such as the introduction of Buddhism to the island . These records provide insights into early political and religious transformations, including three visits by the Buddha, which are crucial for understanding the propagation of Buddhist practices and institutions in Sri Lanka . They offer a historical narrative that articulates the integration of Buddhism into Sri Lankan society, shaping its cultural and spiritual identity.

One significant piece of evidence suggesting early trade connections between Sri Lanka and ancient civilizations like Egypt is the discovery of cinnamon, native to Sri Lanka, in Egypt as early as 1500 BCE . This indicates a trade network through which such exotic goods were exchanged. Cinnamon, being a valuable spice, played a crucial role in these early trade exchanges, facilitating cultural and economic interactions between the regions.

The hydraulic civilization developed by Indo Aryan migrants profoundly influenced the socio-economic landscape of ancient Sri Lanka by enabling large-scale agriculture and supporting population growth through sophisticated irrigation systems . These advancements allowed for the cultivation of surplus crops, which underpinned trade and economic prosperity. Furthermore, the elaborate irrigation works requiring coordinated labor fostered centralized governance and complex societal stratification, reflecting and reinforcing socio-political developments on the island.

Archaeological findings supporting the theory that the Wanniyala-Aetto or Veddas are descended from the Balangoda Man include Mesolithic tools and burial practices similar to those of earlier settlers . Their lineage is traced through migration history by analyzing genetic and cultural continuities, suggesting they migrated from the mainland alongside early human movements across the Indian subcontinent . Consequently, they likely represent a living link to the island's original Mesolithic inhabitants.

The prehistoric inhabitants known as Balangoda Man adapted their environment primarily through methods such as burning trees to create the Horton Plains, facilitating hunting activities . Evidence supporting these adaptations includes the discovery of Mesolithic tools, earthenware, remnants of charred timber, and clay burial pots indicating their lifestyle and survival strategies . Additionally, the presence of oats and barley suggests early agricultural developments, indicative of their evolving interactions with the environment .

Prehistory[edit] Main article: Prehistory of Sri Lanka Evidence of human colonization in Sri Lanka appears at the site of Bal

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