Two years ago, archaeology.lk team launched an archaeology.lk website to disseminate new knowledge in the various branches of Sri Lanka Archaeology and create a discussion about Sri Lanka Archaeology by providing publicity for Sri Lanka Archaeology Information in national and international level. December 18, 2011 marks the second anniversary of the archaeology.lk website. Last two years we helped to disseminate new knowledge in Sri Lanka Archaeology to world and we opened the doors to general public to participate in archaeological excavations, explorations, etc… in Sri Lanka for the first time.   As we look to the past, we are also focused on the future. We are planning to launch few new services to the Sri Lanka Archaeology community in coming months and do our best to disseminate new knowledge in Sri Lanka Archaeology. We hope you will be with us and help us.

The Royal Asiatic Society of Sri Lanka is convening its 5th Annual Research Conference on the Humanities and Social Sciences on March 30th and 31st 2012. The 2012 Research Conference will also launch as a component the 1st Aesthetic Studies Conference and includes the 2nd Philosophy Studies Conference and the 4th Sinhala Studies Conference. Research papers may be presented, among others, under the following themes: Aesthetic Studies: art, music, dance, drama, new media. Philosophy Studies: Buddhist, Hindu, Western philosophies; Sinhala Studies: Languages Sinhala/English, comparative linguistics, literary criticism, literature and society; Humanities and Social Sciences: Sri Lankan society, past and present, history of science and technology, history, archaeology and numismatics, trade and cultural relations. Papers can be presented in Sinhala and English. Abstracts of papers should not exceed 350 words and must include Title, Author(s), Affiliation, Address, Tel/Fax, e-mail address and five keywords. Abstracts can be sent by e-mail to conference@royalasiaticsociety.lk

All are welcome Iron Age (2300+/- 200yrsB.P) Human Settlers of Prehistoric Port City of Adichanallur, Tamil Nadu, India G. Pathmanathan, Raghavan Pathmanathan and T. Satyomorthy Lecture will be delivered by Dr. Raghavan Pathmanathan (BSc (Hons), Msc (Hons), PhD), School of Archaeology & Anthropology , The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia on 28th Nov 2011 from 10.00 – 12.00 pm at the Auditorium of Department of Archaeology Sir Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 7 This lecture would be an interesting session particularly for Archaeologists, Anthropologists, Anatomists, Forensic medicine experts, Geologists and Dentists. For more information on this site please visit following links. The Hindu Feb 17, 2005 The Hindu May 26, 2004 Organized by the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka For information contact Mrs. Sudevi Ranasinghe – Mobile 0716416537 / Office 0112696808

Underwater Archaeology Course 2011 Maritime Archaeology Unit – Central Cultural Fund – Galle – Sri Lanka 05th – 09th DECEMBER 2011 The Maritime Archaeology Unit (MAU) of Sri Lanka is the only authorized institute which engaged in underwater archaeological field work. Under this program (with the Archaeology.lk Group) we are giving the opportunity to the public to participant for the field work under the supervision of qualified maritime archaeologists. It is also a public awareness program aiming for the protection of the underwater cultural heritage of the country. Under this program participants will join with the archaeologists, who are working in the Bay of Galle, with some interesting shipwrecks. It will include practical exercises, field work and associated lecture designed to understand the field activities in short time. What you will learn   How you can help to protect our maritime heritage Better understanding the process of underwater archaeology Legislation

INTRODUCTION Sri Lanka is strategically located between Arabia and East Asia, at a natural crossroads of navigational routes, and has been a centre of trade and cultural exchange since ancient times. Sri Lankaʼs seafaring history, and the archaeological riches of her land sites, suggests that her underwater sites may prove comparably fascinating. In 2001 a Maritime Archaeology Unit (MAU) has been formed under the Mutual Heritage Centre, managed by the Central Cultural Fund in cooperation with the Amsterdam Historical Museum, the University of Amsterdam and the Western Australian Maritime Museum, and sponsored by the Netherlands Cultural Fund. The first major project is the excavation of the Avondster, one of several Dutch East Indiamen wrecked in and outside the harbour at Galle. Galle harbour has an impressive number of heritage sites, some dating back many centuries before the Dutch (1640-1796). Underwater surveys of the Bay of Galle (since 1992) have revealed

Raj Somadeva PhD Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology Introduction An archaeological reconnaissance survey was conducted by the Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology in the area around Nilgiri stupa- a colossal ruined stupa- situated in the woods of the Lahugala Wildlife sanctuary of the Ampara District of the Eastern Province. This survey was initiated as a pre-requisite of the proposed restoration of the central stupa, which is the main focus of the site. Fieldwork was started on 20th June 2011 by a team consisted 1 13 archaeologists. The survey was funded by the Department of Archaeology on behalf of the Ministry of National Heritage. To approach the site, one has to follow a considerably long way from the Monaragala-Potuvil main road from its 305 kilo meter post. There is a gravel road to the right of the main road at this point leading to the Nilgiri stupa. The road is fairly good up

Sri Lankan archeologists have shown that inhabitation of people in Sri Lanka could be dated back to 1.6 million years. Dedication exercised by our archeologists to unwrap the proud past of the ancient people in Sri Lanka is immense. It is with pride that archaeology.lk share with you the essence of this experience Until now only professional archeologists have been the only shareholders in this venture to explore the ancient man in Sri Lanka that, in fact, should receive contributions from all. It is with great pleasure that we announce that an opportunity has been created now for you to experience the journey exploring for the ancient man in Sri Lanka. We would like to share with you the fascination of the Haldummulla archeological exploration that commences in August, 2011 and also experience the rare opportunity of partaking in an excavation of an ancient cemetery at Haldummulla which would reveal

The MPhil./PhD. students of the PGIAR will be presenting their research findings at the PGIAR Graduate Student Seminar scheduled for 4 May 2011 from 9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.  at the PGIAR Auditorium, Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, 407, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7. This seminar is open for public.

See the Jethawanaramaya Complex as it looked in 9th Century AD and fly down to see famous buildings and monuments in 3D. This is a project by the Digital Committee of the Royal Asiatic Society – Sri Lanka.

Digitally recreating ancient Anuradhapura: A case study of Jethavanaramaya By Prasad Samarajiva, Chandima Ambanvala and Anuradha Piyadasa   on Monday, 25th APRIL 2011 at 5.00 p.m. at the Gamini Dissanayake Auditorium, No. 96, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo  07   ALL ARE WELCOME The paper describes the process of computer visualisation and illustrates through a live demonstration the model of Jetavanaramaya. It is a computer aided three-dimensional (3D) visualization combined with global positioning. It has been developed using satellite images, photographs, and the commonly available 3D visualization software called Google Sketchup.  In addition to computational graphical tools, the combined knowledge of historical texts, archaeology, architecture, art, and engineering was used in this modeling to represent these past structures in the most accurate way.