Archaeometallurgy of the

Ancient Civilization in Ruhuna

Sri Lanka

Dr Kavan U. Ratnatunga

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

http://lakdiva.org/coins/ruhuna/

• Base gold Aka virgin flan ? coin Grains on both sides.

• Lead Brahmi script Inscribed coin Floral design.
  
• Lead Lion & Svastika coin
  
• Lead Lion with Brahmi inscribed coin
  
• Lead Tree & Svastika coin

• Metallic Lakshmi Plaque coin of silver-like appearance.
  
• Lead struck Lakshmi Plaque coin
  
• Mini Lakshmi Plaque coin
  
• Lead uncleaned Lakshmi Plaque coins

• Copper 1st century AD Kushan Dracham coin

• Lead item in the shape of a fish.

• Stone Ring mould like those used to cast coins.
  
• Lead cast ring matching mould.
  
• Copper signet ring with elephant symbol.
  
• Copper makara ornament pendent.
  
• Copper srivasta ornament broken end

• Lead ingot shaped like a seal - Interupted ear-ring ?
  
• Lead ingot roll. Is it a Scroll ?

• Antimony rods - Ancient double-tipped cotten swabs.
  
• Copper spoon for cleaning ear wax.

These Coins and other specimens I obtained on site in Ruhuna, Lanka in 2001 December all from or via Mr A. Ratnayaka a collector in Katharagama, who provided most of the 280 coins and 300 other items for the monograph and collection published in 1999 Ruhuna. An Ancient Civilization Re-visited. Numismatic and Archaeological evidence on Inland and Maritime trade, by Osmund Bopearachchi and Rajah M. Wickramasinhe.