Archeological remains from Doranagoda vicinity in Gampaha District

Abstract

This paper is based on a preliminary archaeological survey which covered four villages of Minuwangoda regional secretary division of Gampaha district including Doranagoda, Korase, Vatumulla and Asgiriya. Literary survey, field survey and interviews were carried out to understand ancient human activities of the relevant area. Archaeological remains of the area belong to a large chronological range from early historic period to the British period, which comprises inscriptions, coins, pottery, structural remains, caves with drip ledges and small scale tanks. Most of the artifacts are still unpublished and one inscription and two fragmentary inscriptions are among them. Largest hoard of the punch mark coins in Sri Lanka is the most important archaeological finding of the area. In comparison with that numismatic evidence, some literary evidence suggests to understand a possible historical background of the well developed mercantile activities of the area in early historic period. An palm leaf manuscript belonging to the category of ‘Vitti pota’ ,Which describes the history of the genealogy of prince Sumitta, who is the legendary founder of Doranagoda village and some selected events of Doranagoda raja maha vihara is an important historical source. But its authenticity and reliability can not be established due to the lack of other sources.