{"id":102257,"date":"2022-10-21T03:36:01","date_gmt":"2022-10-21T03:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/?p=102257"},"modified":"2022-10-21T03:36:41","modified_gmt":"2022-10-21T03:36:41","slug":"dorawaka-ethubandi-cave-venture-into-neolithic-era-by-arundathie-abeysinghe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/websitedesigns.com.au\/elankanew\/dorawaka-ethubandi-cave-venture-into-neolithic-era-by-arundathie-abeysinghe\/","title":{"rendered":"Dorawaka Ethubandi Cave – venture into Neolithic Era By Arundathie Abeysinghe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dorawaka Ethubandi Cave – venture into Neolithic Era – <\/strong>By Arundathie Abeysinghe<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Dorawaka<\/p>\n

\"\"Situated off the beaten track in Uragala in close proximity to Warakapola in *Kegalle District, Dorawakkanda Cave also known as Dorawaka Ethubandi Cave Prehistoric Site has yielded some of the most sensational archaeological findings in recent times including several *Brahmi inscriptions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also known as \u201cAthabandi Lena\u201d, this cave comprises primitive rock paintings depicting animals, the sun and moon and some unidentifiable objects. According to research carried out in this location, the habitation of this cave is in the transition period from Mesolithic to Protohistoric. Prior to the excavations, the rock cave has been dated to the proto historic Mesolithic period. Considered as a major breakthrough in history and archaeology of Sri Lanka as evidence regarding the existence of civilization during the Neolithic Period in Sri Lanka was discovered, although, tosses and vestiges of man pertaining to this era are absent in the Cave similar to those found in surrounding rock caves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As the site of the Cave is located amidst rubber plantations, it is necessary to walk a short distance and at first sight, it would be hard to make out the site, although, the Cave magically appears through the trees to bring to the fore two massive rectangular rocks that lean on each other. These two amazing structures form the entrance of the Cave. The sound of eerie cacophony of bats who dwell in the cave site welcomes visitors who dare to enter the dark cave.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are several ancient carvings on the walls of these rocks that have been numbered by the Department of Archeology. Yet, a flashlight is necessary to make them out as the interior of the Cave is dark. These markings depict ancient scribbles known as \u201ckurutu gee<\/em>\u201d (Graffiti).<\/span><\/p>\n

Archaeologists are of the view that excavations conducted at the Dorawaka Rock Cave reveal significant information regarding the existence of an ancient civilization during the Neolithic Period, the transition period between the Stone Age and Copper, Bronze and Iron Ages which gradually stemmed from farming. Scholars believe that the carvings on the rock have been made with iron tools. Excavations have revealed evidence of fireplaces, pottery and millet grains and it is accepted that the Cave had been home to two or three families.<\/span><\/p>\n

The petroglyphs are also found in the Cave. The drawings have been carried out on the inner side of the taller slab, approximately 1.9 meters (6.5 feet) above the ground. Scholars are of the view that these drawings are of *Vedda<\/em> origin.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to archaeologists, initial discovery of lettering system at Dorawaka Cave has been inscribed on an interior wall. There is also a linear diagram depicting two elephants and a reptile which have been recorded in the Journal of Ceylon \u2013 Antiquarian Register<\/em> in 1918. There are also carvings of animals of which the most well-known is the carving of an elephant and its calf.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to scholars, Dorawaka Cave was initially discovered in the 1940’s and dates to 6300 BC.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Dorawaka<\/span><\/p>\n

A significant historical and archaeological site situated in close proximity to Dorawaka Cave is Dedigama Suthigara Chaitya (also known as*\u201cKota Vehera\u201d).<\/span><\/p>\n

Dorawaka Ethubandi Cave is an archaeological protected monument declared by a government gazette notification published on November 22, 2002.<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance from Colombo:<\/strong> Approximately 67 kilometers<\/span><\/p>\n

Directions:<\/strong> From Colombo travel along Colombo \u2013 Kandy Road up to Warakapola and thereafter travel along Warakapola – Anguruwella (B457) road. Proceed approximately five kilometers through paddy fields and rubber plantations to reach the location where there is a fork on the road and turn left from this location to reach “Natha Devalaya” (where workers at the rubber plantations get their knives blessed before commencing their daily work). After proceeding further on this road “Bingala Thena Raja Maha Viharaya”(a recently restored ancient temple with several unique artifacts) can be reached. Thereafter, it is necessary to walk along the road on the left to reach the Dorawaka Rock Cave.<\/span><\/p>\n

Image courtesy \u2013 amazinglanka.com<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n