OneCeylon
All questions

Batatotalena (Diva Guhava) prehistoric rock shelter: microlith excavation grids and bone tools?

Seen by 1,220 travellers
Jump to the accepted answer
L
Lukas Caver•925 rep

What are the sediment excavation techniques and faunal preservation markers in the 36,000-year-old prehistoric rock shelter at Batatotalena near Kuruwita?

21

4 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

Batatotalena Cave near Kuruwita sits in a massive gneiss cliff overlooking the southern foothills. Excavations conducted by the Archaeological Department reveal human occupational layers dating from 36,000 to 12,000 years BP (Balangoda Man). Archaeologists excavate horizontal 5cm spits within a metric coordinate grid. The alkaline micro-environment created by decaying Acavus land snail shells preserved bone tools: polished bone awls, barbed projectile harpoons, and monkey teeth used as personal ornaments, alongside charred seeds of wild breadfruit (Artocarpus nobilis) and Kekuna nuts (Canarium zeylanicum).

37
D
Dr Bandula Karst•1860 rep

The rock shelter contains an active Buddhist shrine featuring a reclining Buddha; visitors must observe temple footwear rules when viewing the archaeological trench.

21
L
Lukas Caver•925 rep

The cave mouth is accessed via a steep climb through rubber and tea plantations; rain makes the rocky final staircase extremely slick.

17
M
Max Escarpment•925 rep

Geometric quartz microliths recovered here show microscopic evidence of intentional bipolar flake reduction on hard anvils.

14
E
Elena Inclusions•910 rep

You must be logged in to post an answer.

Log In to Answer

Related questions

Browse all questions