Interference of Mid-Holocene Hunter Gathers to Coastal Shell Bearing Habitats at Southern Coastal Zone of Sri Lanka

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.