Sri Lankan Maritime Trade Relations Towards the East
Dublin Core
Title
Sri Lankan Maritime Trade Relations Towards the East
Description
One of the main indicators of the strong cultural, political, and trade relationship between China and Sri Lanka
is the significant amount of Chinese pottery found in archaeological sites in Sri Lanka. Mantai, the main port
city of the Anuradhapura kingdom, which spanned from the fourth century BCE to the eleventh century CE,
served as the hub for ships from the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, and Rome. Blue, white, and green
earthenware, as well as storage jars belonging to the Tang Dynasty, are among the earliest archaeological
evidence discovered in Sri Lanka. However, historical evidence dates back even further, to the Han Dynasty
(206 BCE – 220 CE). Excavation projects at old port sites such as Jaffna, Trincomalee, Kirinda, and Godawaya
have revealed new evidence of international trade. Although more interactions with Southeast Asia were evident
after the twelfth century, newly discovered regions along the east coast suggest further findings.
The paper discusses the research conducted by marine archaeologists over the past decade, primarily along the
east coast of Sri Lanka. Newly discovered port sites and potential port sites reveal more evidence of stabilised
maritime trade and cultural connections to the eastern Indian region. Port and settlement sites such as Nilaweli,
Lanka Patuna, Kayankerny, and Sasthrawella contain evidence of international trade. The Kayankerny port site
and settlement mound, for instance, dates to the third century BCE. An ancient trade route connected
Polonnaruwa, the capital city, to a seaport at Kayankerny via the longest stone bridge found in Sri Lanka.
is the significant amount of Chinese pottery found in archaeological sites in Sri Lanka. Mantai, the main port
city of the Anuradhapura kingdom, which spanned from the fourth century BCE to the eleventh century CE,
served as the hub for ships from the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, and Rome. Blue, white, and green
earthenware, as well as storage jars belonging to the Tang Dynasty, are among the earliest archaeological
evidence discovered in Sri Lanka. However, historical evidence dates back even further, to the Han Dynasty
(206 BCE – 220 CE). Excavation projects at old port sites such as Jaffna, Trincomalee, Kirinda, and Godawaya
have revealed new evidence of international trade. Although more interactions with Southeast Asia were evident
after the twelfth century, newly discovered regions along the east coast suggest further findings.
The paper discusses the research conducted by marine archaeologists over the past decade, primarily along the
east coast of Sri Lanka. Newly discovered port sites and potential port sites reveal more evidence of stabilised
maritime trade and cultural connections to the eastern Indian region. Port and settlement sites such as Nilaweli,
Lanka Patuna, Kayankerny, and Sasthrawella contain evidence of international trade. The Kayankerny port site
and settlement mound, for instance, dates to the third century BCE. An ancient trade route connected
Polonnaruwa, the capital city, to a seaport at Kayankerny via the longest stone bridge found in Sri Lanka.
Creator
Rasika Muthucumarana
T.D.C. Pushpakumara
Thilina Pallethanna
Publisher
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Date
2023
Language
English
Bibliographic Citation
Muthucumarana, Rasika , T.D.C. Pushpakumara, Thilina Pallethanna. 2023. “Sri Lankan Maritime Trade Relations Towards the East.” Edited by Jennifer Craig, Jay Mok, T. Kurt Knoerl, and Wijerathne Bohingamuwa. In Proceedings of Fifth Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage: Gwangju, The Republic of Korea, November 13-18 2023. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology. URL: https://apconf.omeka.net/exhibits/show/apconfproceedings/item/1951
Files
Citation
Rasika Muthucumarana
, T.D.C. Pushpakumara, and Thilina Pallethanna, “Sri Lankan Maritime Trade Relations Towards the East,” Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage Proceedings, accessed January 15, 2026, https://apconf.omeka.net/items/show/1951.