Abstract:
The South coast of Sri Lanka is currently an understudied area of archaeological importance in South
Asia. The aim of this research paper is to use of Archaeological materials found from shell bed, study
the cultural patterns of the pre historic people in the Holocene of southern coast of Sri Lanka. The
south coast is a highly dynamic and evolving coasted system over the Holocene. Major phases of
geomorphic change occurring along the south coast of Sri Lanka during the terminal Pleistocene
Holocene epochs. Along the southern littoral of Sri Lanka can be seen submerged shell bed appear to
be remnants of chenier ridges and plains from Rekawa to Kirinda. Shell middens represent a unique
archaeological phenomenon and a complex remnant of the prehistoric human-modified landscape.
Shell midden research has a long history in archaeology and comprises an important component of
understanding human exploitation of aquatic and maritime resources during the Holocene.
Kalamatiya and surrounding area identified as the key area of this study. Chronological framework
suggests human interference with shell bed occurred in several habitation stage in the southern
littoral area. The first human intervention in the shell bed is reported from Mini etiliya and
Pathirajawela between 5,200-4600 years B.P. The second human intervention, which dates back to
4100 - 3300 B.P., provides evidence of the third human intervention on the shell bearing site is reported
to date from 2800 B.P. According to the current research, natural habitats on shells bearing can be
classified as shell bearing habitation site or shell bearing midden site.
