The remnants of other artifacts are scattered over the 15 acres area and the officials are excavating further afield to recover more historical relics.
Stupas of this kind are called pabbatha chaittiyas in Sri Lanka. They are a sort of memorials or reminders that contain sacred objects related to Lord Buddha. The newly unearthed stupa is the country's 22nd structure of this kind, all other scattered across the whole territory of Sri Lanka. Pabbatha chaittiyas were not just ordinary Buddhist temples or stupas but rather major Buddhist centres of the area drawing believers from afar.
The stupa in Matale is a relict of he Early kingdoms period that lasted till 377 BC. Some of the most prominent stupas that are believed to be built during that time include Kiri Vehera in Kataragama and Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara in Uva. The majority of stupas that are among 16 most sacred places in Sri Lanka, or Solosmasthana, were built later during the Anuradahapura period.
Pre-Anuradahapura Stupa Unearthed in Sri Lanka
News in Asia
An ancient stupa, or dagoba, has been recently unearthed in Matale, the capital of Central Province in Sri Lanka. According to the statement of the Archaeology Department, it dates back to the pre-Anuradahapura era.