Archaeologists translate stone inscriptions from 1st century BC

By Leenah Wahab   

An ancient lithic inscription found at the Dimbulagala  Namal Pokuna is shedding new light on Sri Lanka’s socio-political and  religious history during the pre-Christian era in the kingdom of  Anuradhapura. This monumental discovery was discussed at an event titled  ‘Sri Lanka’s History Renewed by Dimbulagala Inscription’ organised by  the Press Council of Sri Lanka and was attended by Director General of  the Department of Archaeology, Professor Thusitha Mendis, Professor  Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Professor Ratnasiri Arangala and Dr. Arjuna  Thantilage.   
The researchers recited anecdotes of how the group of  archaeologists had to travel far onto a mountain, reading the  inscriptions using a torch at night and drinking water they found in the  forest for more than 1.5 months.   
The inscription, written in Early Brahmi script, consists  of 23 identifiable characters, along with two non-Brahmi symbols, and is  believed to date back to the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE, according to  Professor Hettiarachchi. Although the text has weathered over time, with  portions illegible, the Department of Archaeology used digital and  multispectral imaging to reconstruct much of the original content,  allowing the stone to come alive and retell its forgotten story from  thousands of years ago, This antediluvian inscription believed to be the  oldest lithic record of large-scale donations made in the name of  Buddhism, or Sasana, highlights the political dynamics of early Sri  Lanka, recording details about royal members, donations to Buddhist  institutions, and the organisation of lands and resources during the  period.   

History, they say, is written by the victors- but this  inscription offers a more nuanced view of Sri Lanka’s ancient political  landscape. It chronicles the reigns of King Tissa, King Kavan Tissa, and  King Saddhatissa, who ruled the region between 137 and 119 BCE. The  text further sheds light on the influence of the ‘Kataragama  generation’, a group of rulers from the southernmost part of the island.  According to epigraphic evidence, this group maintained connections  with the rulers of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, although the specific  lineage appears to differ from the mainstream historical record.   

The fifth line of the inscription provides details about a  ruling family consisting of three generations: a father, son, and  grandson who governed a territory called Devamusika. It also references  King Gamani Asali and his son Siva, as well as another prince named  Suratissa, son of Siva. The Mahawamsa portrays the three younger  brothers of Devanampiyatissa, Suratissa and Asela. Suratissa was later  defeated by two horse traders named Sena and Guttika.   

At the heart of the inscription lies an unwavering devotion  to Buddhism. The stone records an array of donations made to the  Buddhist Sangha, underscoring the symbiotic relationship between  religion and politics. Kings and nobles alike funnelled land, wealth and  resources into these religious institutions. King Tissa, for example, is  credited with the allocation of no less than 100 plots of land to the  monasteries, a gesture symbolic of religious patronage.   

Moreover, the inscription names several financial  institutions, including the ‘atana’ and ‘mulatana,’ which played a key  role in the administration of funds collected for religious purposes.  This reinforces the importance of religious patronage in the  socio-economic structure of the early Anuradhapura regime.   

Aside from political and religious content, the inscription  provides critical insights into the economic systems of the time. It  outlines the division of land, the collection of revenue, and the  distribution of resources to different individuals and groups. In  particular, the sixth line mentions an allotment of land (referred to as  “talaka varadi”) and the role of collective family income in supporting  religious institutions.   

The inscription also lists various professionals and  workers, including Brahmins, artisans, horsemen, lapidaries, and slaves,  offering a glimpse into the social hierarchy and labour dynamics of the  time. Notably, it documents the involvement of slaves in constructing  religious facilities and their role in the broader economy. Professor  Mendis encouraged more research into the origins of letters and studies  of ancient alphabets in unearthing further discoveries in the future.