Sri Lanka’s Clay Cist Burials: A Forgotten Chapter in South Asian Megalithism

Kasun S. Jayasuriya1*, Vinay Kumar1, Rose Solangaarachchi2, and Sakshi Ghosh1

1Ancient Indian History, Culture & Archaeology, Banaras Hindu University, India; 2Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, University of Kelaniya, Sri lanka; *kasunsjayasuriyaresearch@gmail.com

The protohistoric period across the world reveals diverse mortuary practices such as dolmens, menhirs, stone circles, pit burials, urn burials, and cist burials, reflecting the symbolic and ritual concerns of early societies. Within this global spectrum, Sri Lanka presents a distinctive phenomenon, the clay cist, or canoe burial. Unlike other South Asian funerary traditions, clay cist burials are found exclusively in Sri Lanka and are distributed across sites such as Dummalasuriya, Ibbankatuwa, Haldumulla, Ranchamadama, Nikawalamulla, Kalutuwewa, Bandaththara, and Dunkumbura. Archaeological investigations, particularly Raj Somadeva’s work at Haldumulla, indicate the earliest examples date to around 1700 BCE, with widespread practice continuing between 400 BCE and 200 CE. These burials display remarkable technological and cultural sophistication, often appearing far more advanced than the period to which they are dated. Despite their significance, they remain a neglected component of South Asian megalithism. This study addresses the research question: “What do Sri Lanka’s clay cist burials reveal about technological innovation, ritual practices, and cultural identity in the protohistoric Indian Ocean world?” By re-examining their archaeological context, construction techniques, and symbolic meanings, this paper situates Sri Lanka’s clay cist tradition as a forgotten yet crucial chapter in the broader narrative of South Asian protohistoric mortuary practices.