Ancient coins found in Water Board dig

In the picture (1) people examining the coins which depict the sign of the Cross and Julius Caesar’s picture on the two faces (2) a close up of a coin(3) the tray.

Bolawatta: A set of a valuable ancient coins encased in an earthen pot and a tray dating back to the 16th century AD were unearthed during excavations done in Bolawatte, Wennappuwa for a pipe borne water supply scheme recently.

The coins which have been handed over to Bolawatte Parish Priest Rev.Fr. Anthony Ranjith are to be forwarded to the Archaeological Department for conservation.

According to people of the area, just last week a group of workers from the National Water Supply and Drainage Board had begun digging the Angampitiya area to bury the pipelines to supply water to the residents of Bolawatte, Wennappuwa.

While digging using the backhoe, it had hit hard on a pot like object. The depth of the drain was about five feet. As the machine hit on the surface of the object buried in the sand, it broke and coins hidden had sprung up to the surface.

The people close by rushed in surprise to the scene and had collected the coins. They had gone with them.

But a Catechism teacher who had been at the spot had collected some of the coins she came across and handed them to Fr.Ranjith, the Parish Priest.

After close examination they have found faces of saints on the surface of the coin and they are of the view that the coins belong to a period before the arrival of the Portuguese.

But this has to be verified by the experts and the coins are to be handed over to the Archaeological Department for further examination.