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Tuesday, 10 July 2012

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Treasure hunting spree:

People driven by myths

The past 17 years recorded the largest destruction of artefacts in the country. After the establishment of the Archaeological Department 122 years ago, this was the worst period, Archaeological Department Director General Senerath Dissanayake said.

He was addressing the National Archaeological Symposium- 2012 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute Colombo -7.

The symposium was held under the patronage of National Heritage Minister Jagath Balasuriya.

‘To make people aware, the Archaeological Department launched a campaign to distribute brochures in Mihinthale, Sithulpawwa and Anuradhapura during Poson Poya days.

‘The destruction of artefacts has reduced in the past few weeks, compared to the period January to June, he said.

The Director General said: ‘Many reasons are attributed to the destruction of artefacts.

‘Folklore has it that treasures were deposited in ancient monuments and Buddhist statutes.

This motivated the people. “In this scenario people are destroying items of archaeological value but not economic value.

‘It is a challenge to the Archaeological Department to protect artefacts countrywide.

“Archaeological mythologies and public opinions differ in epigraphs and signs found on the stones.

“Marks such as dogs, crows and rat snakes indicate that these lands were offered to temples. Marks of hand fan (Watapatha) indicate they belonged to the Mahasanga.

“However people believe that the marks indicate massive treasures. It is wrong. “On the other hand, the media too mislead the public by using terms such as, gold statutes, Dambaran Pilima .

Nidanwadula is another myth for destroying archaeological sites”, the Director General said.

National Heritage Ministry Secretary Kanthi Wijesinghe, Dr Alexsender Kapukotuwa, Dr Siran Deraniyagala, National Museum Director Nanda Wickramasinghe and National Archives Department Director Saroja Wetthasinghe, Central Cultural Fund Director Prof Nimal De Silva also participated.

Around 50 research papers on Archaeology were presented at the event.

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