Urban Origins in Southern Sri Lanka

Sammanfattning: This study focuses upon the development of urbanisation in southern Sri Lanka during the proto, early and late historical periods c. 900 BC onwards. The following research themes are addressed:(a). Why did the southern semi-arid zone become a focus of urbanism?(b). What were the morphological, spatial and chronological parameters of these developments?(c). How did demography, resource availability, trade and craft specialisation, political organisation and ideology influence the process of urbanisation in this area?An initial Land Unit classification using satellite imagery was conducted to provide a context for investigating socio-environmental relationships. The existing cultural landscape was mapped using systematic archaeological field surveys focussed on visible remains such as architectural features, ceramics and small finds. A time series archaeological site data set was established and the distribution of sites was compared to other parts of Sri Lanka using GIS (Geographical Information Systems). Coring and excavation of a series of trenches was used to establish the stratigraphic sequence to document the range of variation of finds and obtain samples for dating. This study confirms the Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa historical chronicles compiled c.400-500 A.D in showing that the southern semi-arid zones of Sri Lanka have maintained a distinct socio-political character throughout Sri Lankan history. It also provides a point of reference for understanding Sri Lankan contributions to trade and urbanism in the wider Indian Ocean region.