Establishing Settlement of Homo sapiens around Belilena: An Analysis of Environment

Abstract

Belilena Cave is located at Yatiyanthota divisional secretariat area (Kithulgala) in kegalle district. According to current excavation researches, the settlement dates back 31,000 years. Belilena cave is recognized as one of the oldest settlements in south Asia. Research problem was “what are the environmental factors influenced in establishing settlements of Homo Sapiens at Belilena Cave?” Information and data were gathered through primary and secondary sources including literary sources, field based survey, site observation conducted during two weeks in September 2015. The research discusses how strongly the geophysical factors have affected on Homo Sapiens in establishing settlements around Belilena Cave. Geophysical factors including location, drainage pattern, soil, flora and fauna, climate, rock and minerals and physiography were identified as the key factors in establishing human settlement nearby the cave. Hunter gathering pattern was the basic livelihood of the Pre historic man. Natural environment, specific landscape, geophysical condition with hedge stone caves around the periphery can be recognized as the much supportive elements for human settlement. As the cave is located at a high elevation from the sea level pre historic man had occupied this cave mainly to escape from torrential rain, natural hazards and anima affects. Pre historic man has created stone tools using the quartz and chert minerals were found nearby cave. Geometric micro lithic of exceptionally high quality, beautifully pressure-flaked, bone tools, beads of marine shells and anatomically modern human skeletal remains-from the earliest layer upwards.