COLOMBO CLUB AND GALLE FACE HOTEL

CHAPTER II.

ARCHAEOLOGY.

SY

H, WHITE, Ceylon Civil Service.

{ Archaeological Survey of the Island, which is
extremely rich in ancient historical remains,
has been in progress for the last fifteen years.
Its scope contemplates an accurate description.
illustrated by plans, measurements, drawings,
or photographs. of guch remains as most

deserve notice.
The work of the Archaeological Survey comprises exploration,
 excavations, epigraphical works, and a topographical
survey. Some of the most interesting historical remains in
:he Island are the sculptural stones of Anuradhapura, which
was the capital of Ceylon about 300 years before the Christian
era; the frescoes of Sigiriya or the Lion’s Rock, 1,400
years old, perhaps the most unique paintings in the world ;
lithic inscriptions of vast age; and palm-leaf manuscripts,
comprising historical, poetical, and religious works of an
antiquity dating several centuries before Christ; as well as
bronze and stone Buddhas, colossal lions, inscribed monolithic
 pillars, friezes and carved stone windows, coins,
pottery, ivory, brass and copper work, and other relics of a
»uried but highly civilized past.
The Sinhalese belong to the Aryan race, a Sanskrit-speakne
 people who came from Central Asia and entered India