Excavations at Tammannagala

RAJ SOMADEVA AND MANJULA KASTHURISINGHE

Tammannagala site is situated about 1km west of Sigiriya rock, within the Sigiri Oya basin. This excavation site stands at the southern limit of Talkote village, which is situated about 1.5km north-west of the Sigiriya complex.

Tammannagala rock.

This site was first identified as a settlement during the Sig­ iriya Oya basin field exploration launched in 1988, at the outset of the SARCP fieldwork. It was recorded as SO. 5. At the time the site was first identified, a considerable amount of potsherds and a small amount of iron slags were observed scattered around the site. (Appendix to Mogren: "The Ar­ chaeology of Talkote" this volume.)

Several ancient remains in the environs of the excavation site were identified through explorations in 1988-89. The ma­ jor finds among them are: the abandoned Talkote Ihalavava, situated about 50m north-west of the excavation (see fig. 7:2), the mins on a rocky outcrop 500m north, which can be conjec­ tured to be an ancient monastery(SO. 29); a small mined stupa, about 150m to the south-west (SO. 64); and the boulder called Pokunugala, about 50m to the north-west, which has a rockcut basin on top (SO. 59); (Appendix to Mogren: "The Archaeol­ ogy of Talkote" this volume). Surface evidence sufficient to establish tentative dating has not been found from any other site than the mined stupa. This evidence was a piece of brick with two letters which can be ascribed to the 7th-8th centuries.

Excavation:

This site (SO. 5); which was an abandoned chena at the time of identification in 1988, was re-explored in 1989 and it was subsequently decided to commence a test excavation. Three test pits were opened. The objective was to understand the connection between the vava and the selected settlement site. Test pits were numbered from west to east (see fig. 7:4).

In 1989 four cultural layers were identified through the test excavations. A noteworthy factor was evidence of a prehis­ toric context in one layer. A piece of chert and a considerable amount of quartz, which could be waste material from the production of implements, were among the finds from the fourth layer of test pit 1 (see fig. 7:5) (Adikari unpubl:6). Adikari also identifies Tammannagala as an open air prehistoric site (See Adikari "Approaches" this volume). Another sample is provided by Adihetti to confirm the prehistoric na­ ture of Tammannagala. In the report on pit 3 (see fig. 7:7) of Tammannagala in 1989, she states that a piece of chert, a possible stone implement, was found from the third layer. (Adihetti, unpubl:9). Only two cultural layers were seen in test pit 2 (see: fig. 7:6). Both these layers yielded Middle and Late Historic cultural debris (Kasthurisinghe unpubl:2).

Figure 7:1 Tammannagala in 1990. Excavation in progress. Photo: Mats Mogren.

Figure 7:2 Map showing location of Tammannagala.

Although excavations in the year 1989 were limited, the data unearthed in these excavations indicated that further in­ vestigation and attention should be paid to this site.

An excavation on a large scale was carried out at Tamman­ nagala in 1990. An area of 20x10m, adjoining the western end of excavation pit 3 of 1989, was chosen for excavation.

Figure 7:3 View from Tammannagala rock viewed north by north-east. At upper left, Talkote lhalavava. Excavation site on edge of picture, at right. Photo: Mats Mogren.

Stratification:

Except for the first layer which is described as the surface context, the other two main layers may be considered major settlement horizons. The fourth main layer is the bottom gravel. These layers are described from top to bottom. After analysis, the correlation between these layers will be des­ cribed under the context description. The relative chronology and other aspects of structural relationships etc. will be pre­ sented in a matrix chart at the end of the paper.

The top soil, described as the surface context, had been disturbed to a depth of about 20cm, mainly as a result of chena cultivation. However, potsherds were found in considerable amounts in this layer. The layer was removed and sieved at the very outset of the excavation and the cultural debris was col­ lected.

The second main layer of the site, described under context 6, has a maximum thickness of 28cm. A large amount of cultural debris was found in this layer, clear evidence of hu­ man activities. The distribution of cultural remains in this layer indicated the presence of such finds in larger quantities at the bottom of the layer. The third main layer is context 1. The majority of finds were in this layer. The layer is made of very dark, grayish-brown, gravelly soil (10 YR/3.2) with an east-to- north bedding direction. Besides density of cultural debris, several other factors also indicate human activities in this layer. Four post holes, indicated as contexts 16,17,18, and 4, are visible in the upper level of this layer. They reach down to the bottom gravel, described under context 9. There are also vertical marks running down to the bottom gravel from the surface level of the layer. They can be identified as marks of the root system of trees which have run deep into the ground.

The fourth layer is a very hard layer, with a high content of gravel described under context 9. It consists of a large amount of quartz (7.5YR/5/6) but yields no cultural debris. The only evidence of human activities in this layer are the six post holes. These holes are described under context 21, 11, 10, 4,15, and 14. On close examination, it becomes clear that all these holes extend from the bottom of the layer above and penetrate this layer. Thus the human activities indicated by these post holes are not connected with the time span of the fourth layer.

Pottery

A considerable amount of potsherds was unearthed from the Tammannagala excavation. Jayaweera points out that these pottery pieces belong not only to various types, but various periods (Jayaweera unpubl.). In his general classification of pottery finds from the excavation at Tammannagala in 1989 and 1990, Jayaweera divides the pottery into several major categories, according to the nature of their wares. They are:

1. Black-and-Red Ware

2. RedWare

3. Red Ware (graphite coated)

4. Black Ware

5. Buff Ware

He further points out that according to dating, pottery belonging to a period between the protohistoric and post- Polonnaruva, have been found at Tammannagala.

Special finds

Special finds in Tammannagala are diverse in medium. They can be classified into four major groups: rock, glass, clay and metal. A large number of clay discs was found. Bandar- anayake (1984) mentions that clay discs were found during excavations of the rampart and Summer palace of the Sigiriya complex, but was not able to ascertain what the discs were used for. Test pit no.3 of 1989 gave up a fragment of terracot­ ta, which could have been part of an animal figure. The special finds made of metal are iron nails, pieces of nails, a collection of unidentifiable iron fragments and a copper coin. The copper coin is badly defaced and cannot be dated, or its origin traced.

The special finds made of rock were mainly beads, of various sizes. One quartz flake, possibly belonging to the Mesolithic period, was found in pit no.l in 1989. About 10 stone balls, about 5.6in. in diameter, were also found. Frag­ ments of glass were found too. But the original objects they came from could not be identified.

Cultural sequence

On a comparative study of the evidence confirming human activities and the quantitative distribution of cultural debris excavated, the cultural sequence of Tammannagala can be divided into three phases.

Phase I

An Early Settlement period (BRW, iron nails, paste beads). (14C dates: 288 AD) (context 27).

Phase II

Probably major habitation period (Plain Red Ware pottery, iron nails, iron slags, glass fragments, copper coin) C dates: 486 AD- 561 AD) (context 1).

Phase III

A later settlement period (iron slags, terracotta fragments, glass fragments) (14C dates: 833 AD- 940 AD) (context 8).

Phase I

This phase is evidenced by context 1 (third layer). All negative features from the excavation are found at the top of this context. Traces of charcoal and ash in some of the post holes and garbage pits; the variety of special finds and the fact that the next layer is bottom gravel, all indicate that this can be considered the earliest habitational layer at Tammannagala.

Phase II

This phase is shown by context 6. (Second layer) It yielded the second highest collection of artefacts. A garbage pit ori­ ginating at the surface of this context extends downwards, (context 24) Artefacts from this context include pottery pieces from the mid-Anuradhapura period and a coin, possibly of Roman origin. This layer contained a greater percentage of iron slag than the other layer.

Phase III

This is signified by context 2 (layer 1). It is not incorrect to describe this phase as the more recent of the three phases of Tammannagala. The artefacts are only potsherds. Recent ch- ena cultivation has disturbed the sequencing of the site, there­ fore sherds of several periods are mixed together.

REFERENCES

Adikari, G. The report of the preliminary excavation at Tam­ mannagala pit 1. Unpublished Preliminary Excavation R- eport. PGIAR Archive. Cat. No. 89/00.

Adihetti, S. The report of the preliminary excavation at Tam­ mannagala pit.3. Unpublished Preliminary Excavation R- eport. PGIAR Archive. Cat. No. 89/002.

Jayaweera, J.A.D.S. The report on pottery found from SA- RCP projects. Unpublished Report. PGIAR Archive. Cat. No. 89/234.

Kasthurisinghe, M. The report of the preliminary excavation at Tammannagala pit.2. Unpublished Preliminary Exca­ vation Report. PGIAR Archive. Cat. No. 89/267.

Figure 7:4 Site plan showing location of the 1989 test pits and 1990 trench

Appendix: Context Description

Context No. 1

The third main layer of the site and the principal cultural deposit represented by this context. This layer is very dark gray in colour (10YR/3.2.) with an east-north gradient.

Context No. 2

Two post holes are described under this number. These two holes, 24cm apart, are situated towards the north-west of section ‘B’ of the excavation area, starting from the surface level of the third layer. The hole farther north was numbered context 2 A and that on the south context 2 B. Each post hole is approximately 30cm deep, with a diameter of about 22cm. No clear stratification is observed here. The post holes are filled with loose soil from context 1. A piece of an iron nail, 8cm long, was found near these holes.

Context No. 3

Post holes on the eastern part of section ‘B’ of the excava­ tion areas are described under this number. These post holes, beginning from the surface level of context 1, have a diameter of 20cm and a depth of about 32cm. A piece of an iron nail, 6cm long, was found near these holes. No micro-stratification was found in this hole.

Context No. 4

Another post hole, 24m away and to the right of context 3, is described under this number. As in the other post holes described above, this too begins from the surface of context 1. It is 28cm in diameter and 29cm in depth. A broken piece of an iron nail was found 20cm east of this post hole.

Context No. 5

The post hole in sub-square 101/301 of the excavation area is indicated under this context. The diameter of the top is 28cm and the depth nearly 30cm. This post hole too, begins from context 1 and goes down to context 9. A 7cm long piece of an iron nail was found 10cm south-west of this hole. A piece of an iron knife blade, about 10cm long, was also found close by.

Context No. 6

As described above, the second main layer of the site is represented by this number. This is a dark brown layer (7.5- YR/14.4) with a maximum thickness of 28cm and a minimum thickness of 10cm. It takes an east-south bedding direction.

Context No. 7

A structure made of granite rubble, found between context 6 and context 1, is described under context 7. This structure is of four pieces of stone lined up in a rectangular shape. It is 90x20cm. No evidence has been found to establish the pur­ pose for which it was made. It is possible that they are pieces of stone which were put into the post holes belonging to context 1, at the time the posts were installed in the holes, to keep them in position.

Context No. 8

This number was used to indicate a dark, spotted area of soil observed during the excavation. This dark patch was fou­ nd on the surface level of the third layer. It was excavated lengthwise, to examine the nature of the spots. It was ob­ served, when their cross sections were examined, that the spots ran deep, like holes. Potsherds, pieces of iron nail and several pieces of iron slags were discovered in this area. Since this spotted area does not show a structural relationship to any other part, no evidence was yielded to decide the nature of the activity involved. However, it is possible to conjecture that the dark colour represents decaying organic residue.

Context No. 9

As described above, the fourth main layer is described under this context. No cultural debris is found here. It is a very hard layer, with a large amount of quartz pieces. A strong brown layer. (7.5./YR/5/6).

Context No. 10

A post hole found in the area belonging to sub-square 104/299 of the third layer. This is situated at a level 20cm below the surface of the post hole described under context 4. It is 28cm in diameter and 22cm in depth. Context No. 11 A granite structure situated in context 1, described under

Context 11.

This structure is formed by a few pieces of granite placed in a circular design. The soil inside the structure is darker in colour than the surrounding soil. (SY/3/R1). Cultural debris was found in considerable quantity around, and impor­ tent items were iron slag and potsherds. Evidence to conjecture the practical use of this structure was not sufficient however.

Context No. 12

A large termite hill on context 6 is described under this context. Found at the south-west comer of the excavation area.

Context No. 13

A garbage pit found at the eastern corner on the south boundary of the excavation area, described under this context. This garbage pit begins from the surface level of context 1, cutting through context 9. The soil near this pit is dark black in colour and silty at the bottom. The earth inside is softer than in other parts of the layer. A considerable amount of ash inside the pit indicates that fires may have been made inside it, or burnt matter thrown into it. It is devoid of any cultural finds.

Context No. 14

A garbage pit found on the southern boundary of the ex­ cavation area is presented under this context. It has been dug from the surface level of context 1 and runs up to context 9. The colour of the earth inside the pit is much darker than the soil layer into which it was dug. No cultural finds were dis­ covered.

Context No. 15 A

structure which can be conjectured as a post hole, found on the right bank of the excavation area, is presented under this context. It has been made from the surface level of context 1. The surface diameter of the pit is about 10.6cm. No cultural objects were found.

Context No. 16

A structure which can be conjectured as a post hole, found on the southern section of the excavation area, is described under this context. It has been dug from the surface level of context 1. The mouth is about 20cm in diameter. The soil at the bottom of the post hole is somewhat clayey. A few pieces of pottery were found.

Figure 7:9 a-h Soil profiles, (a) west bank section; (b) west bank, northern section; (c) north bank; (d) east bank, northern section; (e) east bank, southern section•

Context No. 17

A structure which may be considered a garbage pit, found on the right bank of the excavation area. It has been dug from the surface level of context 1 and runs up to context 9. The surface diameter is 46cm and the depth about 50cm. The soil inside the pit is very dark, compared to the layer in which it is situated. Only a few pieces of pottery were found as cultural debris.

Context No. 18

A garbage pit-like structure on the southern sector of the excavation area, dug from the surface level of context 1, run­ ning up to context 9. The soil inside was slightly dry. A few pieces of pottery were found inside.

Context No. 19

A trace of another garbage pit, its mouth about 40cm in diameter and about 60cm deep, is described under this context. This too was dug from the surface level of context 1, on the west bank of the southern sector of the excavation area. A small amount of charcoal was found in this pit. There is clear indication that a fire had been made. A few pieces of pottery were the cultural finds.

Context No. 20

A termite hill on the west bank of the excavation area. This starts from the surface of context 1 and runs deep, cutting through context 9. It is about 70cm deep and about 30cm wide. The fact that this termite hill started from context 1, makes it possible to conjecture that it was built during the period when this context formed the surface of the site. The soil of the termite hill is extremely hard.

Figure 7:10 Context matrix chart of1990 excavation.

Context No. 21

It is uncertain whether this context is a trace of a post hole or the decayed root of a tree. It was possible to identify this trace when a ditch was dug connecting the south-west comers in the southern sector of the excavation area. It extends from context 1 up to context 9. The diameter of the mouth is 20cm.

Context No. 22

A piece of iron slag of about 15cm diameter on the third layer, its shape indicating that it had been poured into a shal­ low depression. The piece of slag most probably derives from a smithy. This piece of iron slag was found in sub-square 101/300 in the southern sector of the excavation area.

Context No.23

A possible garbage pit, found on the eastern bank of the southern sector of the excavation area. This trace begins from the surface of context 1 and extends up to context 9. The diameter of the mouth is 22cm and its depth about 25cm. This structure is filled with black soil. The soil at the bottom is slightly clayey. No cultural remains were found.

Context No. 24

A structure which can be conjectured as a garbage pit, found in the southern cross-section of the balk dividing north and south of the excavation area. The traces of this structure start from the surface level of context 1 and extend up to context 9. The soil inside the structure has a higher composi­ tion of sand. It is about 1 meter and 10cm wide and 70cm deep. No cultural debris was found inside.

Context No. 25

A structure that can be conjectured as a garbage pit, found in the southern sector of the excavation area. This structure is about 40cm wide and 95cm deep, the deepest garbage pit found at the Tammannagala excavation site. It is in the imme­ diate vicinity of the garbage pit described under context 24, which is situated to its right. The fill is very dark and no cultural debris was found there.

Context No. 26

A trace of a garbage pit in sub-square 102/307 in the southern sector of the excavation area. It seems to have been dug from context 1. The diameter of the mouth is 66cm and the depth about 65cm. No cultural debris was found there.

Context No. 27 A

structure found within the excavation is a dark patch of soil, extending with a north-west, south-east orientation in the northern sector of the excavating area. It is lm wide and 60cm deep. Excavations were done up to 3m to investigate further. The soil is soft and dark black and at the bottom consists of sand with a high level of moisture. After excavating to bottom level, it was observed that it resembled a small canal, the bottom having a slope of about 10° toward the west. The striking difference in this context is that it yielded cultural debris in considerable numbers. Among them were iron slag and other unidentifiable pieces of iron. Several disks made of clay in various sizes and large quantities of potsherds were found there. It is possible to consider it a drain built for the drainage of water or a similar purpose.

Context No. 28

A layer situated 2m from the northern and eastern boun­ daries of the northern sector of the excavation area. It extends for about 8m. This context belongs to the interface between context 6 and context 1 of the site. A slightly sandy, brown layer. A considerable amount of potsherds found here.

Context No.29

The layer situated below the termite hill described under context 12, at the south-west comer on the southern boundary of the excavation area. It is stratigraphically connected to con­ text 1. A few pieces of pottery were found there.

Context No. 30

The bottom surface of context 27 is described under this context. This is a slight layer of sandy soil, dark brown in colour. Several potsherds were found from this context. This layer is physically located under context 27.