The Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura organized a two-day field visit for the 3rd year Archaeology (Honours) Degree undergraduates, related to their course unit on ‘Principles and Methodologies of Conservation of Monuments and its Associated Structures (ARCH 3203.3)’, on 22nd and 23rd of September 2023.
Under the guidance of the Head of the Department of History and Archaeology, Sen. Lect. (Ven.) Dambara Amila Thero, Prof. P.B. Mandawala coordinated this field visit to offer an opportunity for experiential education and hands-on learning to the students. Upon the request of the department, a special guided tour had been arranged by Star Granite (Pvt.) Ltd. to visit their factory and the quarry mine 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 essential aspect of stone monument conservation. In addition, the students visited Panavitiya Ambalama (wayside hut), a special example of traditional timber monument conservation in Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the students visited Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanweliseya stupa, where the students were comprehensively made aware of their conservation interventions by Prof. P.B. Mandawala. On the second day, the students visited Jetavana Site Museum, Jetavana stupa and monastery premises, Abhayagiriya Site Museum, Abhayagiriya stupa and monastery premises, with comprehensive guidance from Prof. Mandawala. Moreover, 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 Vice-Chancellor of the USJ, Sen. Prof. Padmalal M. Manage 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 (CCF), the Project Managers and the staff of the CCF Project Offices in Abhayagiriya and Jetavana for the arrangements made for the success of this program. Furthermore, the department would like to thank Star Granite (Pvt.) Ltd. as well, for facilitating our undergraduates to enhance the level of their teaching and learning process.
