Amazing Kitulgala Tour : Historical Belilena Caves

Belilena cave

Beli Lena cave at Kithulgala was excavated and researched between the years 1978-1983 by the Sri Lankan archaeological department. The cultural deposits at the site after 25 radiometric tests were determined to be from 30,000 – 9000 years before the present day. A diverse range of cultural, faunal and human remains were excavated. Amongst the things discovered were some geometric microlithic stone tools which at 30,000 years are among the oldest found in the world, to date. There are also some bone tools and evidence of fire being used from 30,000 years ago.

Prehistoric Beli Lena Caves lies upon a steep path on the hillside inside from a ledge that looks down over a breathtaking view of rubber plantations of Kitulgala estate close to Kitulagala, 2000 feet above sea level. This Huge Cave has been home to the prehistoric 'Balangoda Man' (Homo sapiens balangodensis) where 16,000 year old skeletal remains have been found. Fa Hien-lena has yielded the earliest evidence (at ca. 37,000 BP) of the 'Balangoda Man' followed by Batadomba-lena at 31,000 and 18,000 BP.

These caves have also yeiled other artifacts such as prehistoric tools belonging to the 30,000 BP. Batadomba-lena caves have yeiled tools going back to 31,000 BP. These are important findings to whole of Asia as these tools are considered to have first originated in Europe around 12,000 BP. But these finding have proved that the Sri Lankan 'Balangoda Man' has been at the same stage od deveopment 19 ,000 years before the Europeans.
According to S. U. Deraniyagala, ex Director-General of Archaeology, Sri Lanka

... The tool kit of Balangoda Man is distinguished by the occurrence of geometric microliths, comprising small (less than 4 cm long) flakes of quartz and (rarely) chert fashioned into stylised lunate, triangular and trapezoidal forms (ibid:266-70,688-94). Such geometric microliths have traditionally been considered the hallmark of the Mesolithic period as first defined in Europe. The earliest dates for the geometric microlithic tradition in Europe are around 12,000 BP. Hence it came as a surprise when such tools were found as early as 31,000 BP at Batadomba-lena, 28,000 BP at two coastal sites in Bundala and over 30,000 BP at Beli-lena. Sri Lanka has yielded evidence of this sophisticated technological phase over 19,000 years earlier than in Europe. However this apparent anomaly has been resolved by the discovery of geometric microliths in various parts of Africa, such as Zaire and southern Africa, from contexts in excess of 27,000 BP, thereby suggesting that Europe was late in manifesting this techno-tradition due to as yet undefined reasons.....

To Reach Belilena turn at Kitulgala Temple on Iyanwatta road to reach the school. You need to treck about 1 kilometre to reach the cave.

Related Videos