Chieftain's Grave

Ibban Katuwa, Sri Lanka

Professor Sudharshan Seneviratne, of the University of Peradeniya, discusses a cist grave, whose intact capstone bears a lineage symbol (horned square) and whose grave goods included carnelian beads, gold, and mica. The richness of this burial suggests that an important personage, possibly a chieftain or lineage head, was interred here. Prof. Seneviratne is Director General (2008) of the Central Cultural Fund, which is the custodial organization for all UNESCO-registered World Heritage sites in Sri Lanka.