The Story of Maritime Archaeology in Sri Lanka

Like many other countries, underwater archaeology in Sri Lanka had its roots in treasure hunting and the informal recovery of artefacts from shallow waters. Starting from the early 1960s, many incidents and events led it to begin and flourish to the present status. This is the story of Underwater Archaeology in Sri Lanka gradually developed through time, taking its own pathways and facing countless barricades.

8 Events Interactive Timeline

The Story of Maritime Archaeology in Sri Lanka

October 14, 1960

The first exposure

In the early 1960s, sports divers Arthur C. Clarke, Mike Wilson and Rodney Jonklaas’ chance discovery of silver coins on a wreck near the Great Basses lighthouse shone a spotlight on this field. It was called the “Silver Wreck” because it was carrying sacks of Mogul silver coins minted in Surat, India and dated 1702. (Clarke 1964:19–21). Since its discovery, many silver coins from the wreck have been taken out of Sri Lanka and sold. While a few are now in foreign museums, the great majority were stolen and ended up in private hands or in jewellery. Even today, coins are sometimes being secretly sold in Sri Lanka. In his book, “The Treasure of the Great Reef” (1964), The interest generated by this incident made the Sri Lankan government and scholars think about the positive contributions that could be made by the nation’s underwater cultural heritage, and recognize the need for this type of heritage to receive special attention.
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The first exposure
October 14, 1960
From Treasure hunting to systematic researches
March 3, 1963
Wrecks for Souvenir collectors
March 3, 1964
Legal salvage or an archaeological find?
April 3, 1964
The ownership
May 3, 1964
Marine archaeological sites are defined as national aquatic resources
March 3, 1970
A Dark Age
March 3, 1970
Marine archaeological sites are defined as national aquatic resources
January 1, 1982
8 events