The Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura organized a two-day field visit for the 4th year Archaeology (Honours) Degree undergraduate students related to their final year course unit on ‘Practical Monument Conservation’, at Star Granite factory and Anuradhapura on the 28th and 29th of March 2023.
On the way to Anuradhapura, the students visited the factory and the quarry mine of Star Granite (Pvt.) Ltd. in Minuwangoda and Narammala respectively. Accordingly, the students could gain a thorough understanding of the entire carving and manufacturing process of stoneworks, which is an important aspect of stone conservation practice. In addition, the students visited Panavitiya Ambalama (wayside hut), a special example of timber conservation, and the Hatthikuchchi Vihara Complex located between Padeniya and Galgamuwa. Furthermore, the students visited Ruwanweliseya stupa and Sri Maha Bodhi, where the students were comprehensively explained of their conservation interventions by Prof. P.B. Mandawala.
On the second day, the students visited Jetavana CCF Site Museum, Jetavana stupa and monastery premises, Abhayagiriya CCF Site Museum, and Abhayagiriya stupa and monastery premises, with comprehensive guidance from Prof. Mandawala and the information officers from the respective Central Cultural Fund (CCF) projects. Furthermore, the students visited the newly excavated Ánula Devi stupa in Mihintale and the main Mihintale heritage site.
The Department of History and Archaeology would like to thank the (Acting) Vice-Chancellor of the USJ, Prof. Upul Subasinghe and the Dean of the FHSS, Prof. Shirantha Heenkenda, for making the necessary arrangements to realize this two-day field visit. Furthermore, the department expresses its gratitude to the Director-General of the Central Cultural Fund, the Project Managers, and the staff of the CCF Project Offices in Abhayagiriya and Jetavana for the necessary arrangements made for the success of this program. Furthermore, the department would like to thank Star Granite (Pvt.) Ltd. for making the necessary arrangements to offer a successful session at their factory and quarry mine sites for our undergraduate students.
