Terracotta figurines found on the <em>Diyabate</em> Rock belonging to the <em>Thabbowa- Maradanmaduwa</em> culture

Abstract

Terracotta figurines were discovered throughout Sri Lanka especially in the Northern, North Central and Eastern dry zones, have been traditionally assigned to the Thabbbowa- Maradanmaduwe culture the discovered sites indicate that they are closely connected with river basins, canals, tanks and agricultural landscapes. Terracotta figurines found from Diyabete rock in the Wanni Hathpaththu was the subject of this research and it is a place where archaeological evidence dating back to many ages. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the Terracotta figurines found during the survey of Diyabete rock. Diyabate rock is located in the village of Kattabuwawa in the Maho divisional secretariat in the Kurunegala district of the Northwestern province. It belongs to the dry zone of Sri Lanka. The research problem of this study is, to find out If the Terracotta figurines found during the survey is similar to the Thabbowa Maradanmaduwa culture. The hypothetical- deductive method was used during the research and based on the hypothesis that these terracotta figurines are belonging to the Thabbowa Maradanmaduwa culture. The data record was created by the non-structural field survey, library survey, taking photographs, drawing, studying 1:50000 metric maps and by taking measurements. Terracotta figurines are found throughout South Asia including Sri Lanka and range in date from the Neolithic Period, through the Early Historic Period and into the present. Accordingly, the geographical features similar to other places in the island where elements of the Thabbowa Maradanmaduwa culture are found can be seen in this place as well. During the study, this makes it possible to believed that the features of this terracotta belong to Thabbowa-Maradammaduwa culture. However, the data obtained from the surface survey carried out here is not sufficient to come to an accurate conclusion and it is necessary to study this site extensively.