Transformation of the outline of Trincomalee - Koddiyar Bay and its vicinity in ancient maps: From Ptolemy to Van Keulen (1st-century CE-mid 18th century CE)

Abstract

Abstract Trincomalee - Koddiyar Bay is one of the most strategically valuable natural harbours in Sri Lanka which acted as the main gateway to the Kandyan kingdom, as well as to South-Eastern Asia. The harbour and its surroundings were frequently mapped and updated in various maps. When lining up these maps from older to new, it is apparent how the early cartographers updated their maps with new information. If we disregard the famous map of Ptolemy's, it took almost five centuries to appear an accurate map of Trincomalee. The present study is

 Please cite this article as: Siriwardana, T.M. & P. Manusinghe (2020), Transformation of the outline of Trincomalee - Koddiyar Bay and its vicinity in ancient maps: From Ptolemy to Van Keulen (1st-century CE-mid 18th century CE), The Journal of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, Vol. 5 Issue I, Chief Editor: C.B. Ambanwala, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Mihintale. pp 107-144 [107 ]

focusing on the updates of these maps by comparing them with current geomorphology of the bay. It reveals the names given to the features in the harbour, contemporary uses of it as well as the following geomorphological changes occurred in the harbour such as the emergence of the Tambalagam bay and the concerns of Lac van Condelay or the lake Kantale. Also, through the study, the present authors were able to reveal the ''Chart of Albert Cantino of 1502 CE'' which marked Sri Lanka accurately in a world map and must be the first-ever reported map of Sri Lanka. Apart from that Trincomalee marked more accurately, it confirms the Europeans had a higher awareness of the Island even before they set their foot on the shore.