The Department of History and Archaeology of the USJ organized a two-day visit to the archaeological sites of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruva for BA (External) Degree students, who are following History and Archaeology subjects from the batches of 2018 and 2019, on the 16th and 17th of December 2023.
With an effort to provide the true spirit of following history and archaeology subjects, the academic staff members of the department, including the Head of the Department, Senior Lect. (Ven.) Dambara Amila Thero, and Prof. Karunasena Hettiarachchi, participated in this visit with 40+ students, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the wide range of monuments and sites in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruva.
Accordingly, on the first day, the field visit covered many popular sites such as the Sacred Bodhi tree, Ruwanveli stupa, Isurumuniya, Jetavana stupa, the monastery complex and its site museum, Abhayagiriya stupa and its monastery complex, Thuparama stupa, and Brazen Palace, as well as less visited sites like Kanadara-oya stone bridge, Vessagiriya, and Sudasanapathanagala Viharaya in Anuradhapura. On the following day, the team visited the monuments and precincts in Polonnaruva, such as Sacred Quadrangle, Royal palace precinct, Alahana Parivena complex, Rankoth vehera, Thuparama image house, Gal viharaya, Pothgul vehera, etc.
The Department of History and Archaeology would like to express its gratitude to the site managers and their staffs at the respective archaeological sites for providing the necessary arrangements for the success of this program. Further, the department expects that the students have grasped the true essence of history and archaeology subjects and will contribute to safeguarding our heritage for future generations.
