Galle
SL/S/GHRB/M/17
Avondster VOC · GHL or the Site L in Galle Harbour
- Period
- Colonial - Dutch
- Year sunk
- 1659
- District
- Galle
- Depth
- 6.00–8.00 m
- Vessel type
- Wooden Sail, Bulk Carrier
Overview
The Avondster was originally a British ship, captured and modified by the Dutch. After a long life span of long-distance trans-oceanic voyages, it was assigned to short-haul coastal runs. The vessel was 30 meters long and constructed with two decks. The Avondster was wrecked on 2nd July 1659 while anchored in the Galle harbour. After the ship was discovered in 1993 the site was monitored; it became clear that the wreck was increasingly exposed through changes in the dynamics of the seabed, and it was considered important to implement a rescue archaeology project on the site to safeguard this important collection. From 2001 till the end of 2004 important sections of the ship have been excavated and conserved in-situ.
Excavation on the bow area - It was decided that the bow was to be the first area to be excavated. This area was well defined and the shape of the bow provided suitable conditions to train excavation techniques as part of the training for the Sri Lankan team. The excavation lasted over 7 weeks. The excavation and recording method was the use of a baseline from bow to galley with 2x1 meter excavation grids at set positions along this baseline. Because of the shallow water, the Water Dredge system was used to excavate. Just underneath the protective sand layers, a large number of coiled ropes was discovered. In addition, a collection of pulley blocks, wheels, deadeyes and cannonballs was found. The ropes and wooden parts appeared to be well preserved but in fact, were subject to damage. Further excavation was stopped at that point and the team brought the remaining artefacts to the surface after recording.
Excavation in the amidships area - This was the most important and successful excavation done on the Avondster. Beginning in March 2002, excavation was implemented in a 4m wide amidships trench. This continued through to April 2004, in conjunction with a number of other activities. An aluminium pole placed horizontally just in front of the galley was used as a control in measuring the depths of the layers, artefacts and the ship’s structure during this excavation. It was decided to carry out the excavation layer by layer, six in all, recording the depths and details of each. After reaching and recording the bottom of the ship the trench was extended to the starboard side, to the area outside of the hull to find any evidence of artefact distribution. In the end, the trench was reburied.
Excavation on the stern section – After recording the stern section of the ship the excavation was carried out in November-December 2004. A 2m wide trench athwart the ships was established which ran approximately from the starboard to the port side. The initial plan was to excavate the trench following the structure of the wreck, but poor visibility and the risk of working on more complicated and undisturbed layers required the excavation be moved occasionally to a more trouble-free area We were not able to complete the excavation due to many reasons such as the lack of time and bad sea conditions. Also, it was the last fieldwork season of the project. Much rope, musket balls, wood planking and equipment were found. The team managed to get more information and have a correct idea about the construction of the ship.
In-situ Conservation – The in-situ protection of archaeological objects has become an important issue over the years. The main reason for this is the necessity to protect a representative part of our cultural heritage – our past - for future generations. At the beginning of the ‘Avondster’ project, the decision was made to safeguard the valuable archaeological information by leaving the wreck in situ. After a few experiments and attempts, a suitable solution was found and also a material to cover the wreck. It was a non-woven 100% polypropylene and 40-50% density net. Using stripes (25m x 4m) of this net, we lay them across the wreck from starboard to port side. They were placed on the wreck by using the sandbags and the edges of each net/strips were joined by the plastic wires (Ty-raps/ Cable ties) 07 strips of these plastic nets were placed from the bow to the stern area, covering approximately 22 meters of the wreck. After monitoring the site regularly we realized that the covering was very effective, as it gathered more sand onto the wreck and held it tightly. After one year only the parts of the galley was able to see. Also, it stood against the Tsunami (Dec. 2006) very well and protected the whole wreck and keeps it intact.
Conclusions - The excavation and the site work produced much information on the construction and the shape of the ship and the contemporary culture on-board. In the very bottom of the ship intact sections of construction timbers and artefacts were found among undisturbed contemporary sediments. As less than 30% of the Avondster site has been excavated, the site has the potential to answer future questions and reveal more information about this important phase in Sri Lankan and Dutch history.
Media gallery
·
Location
Exact location withheld to protect this protected site.
For heritage protection, precise coordinates are not published for this site. Only the general administrative area is shown.
Galle, Southern
Protection & status
- Access
- Yes
- Legal status
- Protected by Arch Act
- Archaeological value
- High
- Physical protection
- Yes - In-Situ
- Degradation
- Very Fragile
- Owner terrain
- Dept of Archaeology
- Owner site
- DoA
- Authority
- MAU-CCF & DoA
- Threat
- Deterioration
Vessel chronology
1659
Year sunk
1641 – 1659
Time period estimate
Artefacts
-
A/Ts/2005/GHL/49
Chunk shell · Sea Shell
-
1999/GHL/09
container · Alloy
-
1996/GHL/36
Grinding Stone · Stone
-
2002/GHL/160
Beardman Jar · Stoneware
-
2004GHL1
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL2
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL3
Plate, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL4
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL5
Unidentified · Iron?
-
2004GHL6
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL7
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL8
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL9
Beardman jar, fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL10
Plate, fragment · Stoneware; white fired
-
2004GHL11
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL12
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL13
Schist, piece · Schist
-
2004GHL14
Medicine jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL15
Jar?, Fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL16
Bowl?, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL17
Unidentified · Earthenware
-
2004GHL18
Mercury jar or beardman jar, fragment · Stoneware
-
2004GHL19
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL20
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL21
Coal, piece · Coal
-
2004GHL22
Nail, fragment · Copper?
-
2004GHL23
Nail, fragment · Copper
-
2004GHL24
Bottle?, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL25
Unidentified ·
-
2004GHL26
Dish, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL27
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL28
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL29
Jar, fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL30
Sheet, fragment · Copper alloy
-
2004GHL31
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL32
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL33
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL34
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL35
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL36
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL37
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL38
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL39
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL40
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL41
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL42
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL43
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL44
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL45
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL46
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL47
Bowl, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL48
Beardman jar, fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL49
Beardman jar, fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL50
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL51
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL52
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL53
Bowl, fragment · Stoneware?
-
2004GHL54
Bowl, fragment · Earthenware?; white fired
-
2004GHL55
Bowl, fragment? · Stoneware?; white fired
-
2004GHL56
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL57
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL58
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL59
Bottle, fragment · Glass
-
2004GHL60
Bottle, fragment · Light green glass
-
2004GHL61
Bottle, fragment · Light green glass
-
2004GHL62
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL63
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL64
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL65
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL66
Bottle, fragment · Light green glass
-
2004GHL67
Beardman jar, fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL68
Weight · Copper alloy
-
2004GHL69
Dish, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL70
Bottle, fragment · Opaque glass
-
2004GHL71
Bottle, fragment? · Opaque glass
-
2004GHL72
Unidentified · Earthenware
-
2004GHL73
Storage jar, fragment · Stoneware
-
2004GHL74
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL75
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL76
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL77
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL78
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL79
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL80
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL81
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL82
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL83
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL84
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL85
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL86
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL87a
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL87b
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL88a
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL88b
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL89
Roof tile, fragment · Clay
-
2004GHL90a
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL90b
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL90c
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL90d
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL90e
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL90f
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL90g
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL90h
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL90i
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL91a
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL91b
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL91c
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL91d
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL91e
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL91f
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL91g
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL91h
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL91i
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL92
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL93a
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL93b
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL94a
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL94b
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL94c
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL94d
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL95
Plate, fragment · Stoneware
-
2004GHL96
Sheet, fragment · Lead
-
2004GHL97
Chunk ·
-
2004GHL98
Unidentified · Earthenware
-
2004GHL99
Jar, fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL100
Concretion ·
-
2004GHL101
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL102
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL103
Unidentified ·
-
2004GHL104
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL105
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL106
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL107
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL108
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL109
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL110
Dish, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL111
Dish, fragment? · Porcelain
-
2004GHL112a
Bottle, fragment · Light green glass
-
2004GHL112b
Bottle, fragment · Light green glass
-
2004GHL113
Yellow brick, fragment · Clay
-
2004GHL114
Rope, fragment · Natural fiber
-
2004GHL115
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL116
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL117
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL118
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL119
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL120
Dish?, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL121a
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL121b
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL122
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL123
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL124
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL125
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL126a
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL126b
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL127
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL128
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL129
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL130a
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL130b
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL131
Mercury jar, fragment · Stoneware
-
2004GHL132
Unidentified · Stoneware?
-
2004GHL133
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL134
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL135
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL136
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL137
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL138
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL139
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL140
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL141
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL142
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL143
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL144
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL145
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL146
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL147
Bottle, fragment · Glass
-
2004GHL148
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL149
Dish, fragment · Stoneware; white fired
-
2004GHL150
Unidentified · Blue glass
-
2004GHL151
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL152
Unidentified · Green glass
-
2004GHL153
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL154
Unidentified · Porcelain
-
2004GHL155
Rammer, part of · Wood and natural fiber
-
2004GHL156
Unidentified ·
-
2004GHL157
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL158
Unidentified ·
-
2004GHL159
Chineese tea cup?, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL160
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL161
Storage jar, fragment · Stoneware
-
2004GHL162
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL163
Storage jar, fragment · Stoneware
-
2004GHL164
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL165
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL166
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL167
Bottle, fragment · Light green glass
-
2004GHL168
Bottle?, fragment · Glass
-
2004GHL169
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL170
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL171
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL172
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL173
Jar, fragment · Stoneware; white fired
-
2004GHL174
Medicine jar · Earthenware
-
2004GHL175
Cable, fragment · Natural fibre
-
2004GHL176
Storage jar, fragments · Earthenware
-
2004GHL177
Dish, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL178
Musket balls · Lead
-
2004GHL179
Unidentified · Earthenware
-
2004GHL180
Unidentified · Earthenware
-
2004GHL181
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL182
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL183
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL184
Jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL185
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL186
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL187
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL188
Unidentified · Stoneware
-
2004GHL189
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain?
-
2004GHL190
Unidentified · Stoneware?
-
2004GHL191
Storage jar?, fargment · Stoneware
-
2004GHL192
Beardman jar, fragment · Stoneware
-
2004GHL193
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL194
Smoking pipe, fragments · Earthenware
-
2004GHL195
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL196
High bowl?, fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL197
Jar, fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL198
Jar, fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL199
Unidentified · Stoneware; white fired
-
2004GHL200
Mercury jar?, fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL201
Pot?, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL202
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL203
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL204
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL205
Smoking pipe · Earthenware
-
2004GHL206
Smoking pipe, fragments · Earthenware
-
2004GHL207
Bowl?, fragment · Stoneware; Celedon
-
2004GHL208
Bowl?, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL209
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL210
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL211
Medicine jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL212
Bowl?, fragment · Stoneware; white fired, celedon
-
2004GHL213
Unidentified, fragment · Stoneware (celedon?)
-
2004GHL214
Chinese cup, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL215
Smoking pipe, fragments · Earthenware
-
2004GHL216
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL217
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL218
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL219
Jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL220
Plate, fragment · Earthenware; white fired
-
2004GHL221
Jar, fragment · Stoneware
-
2004GHL222
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL223
Dish, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL224
Bottle, fragment · Brown glass
-
2004GHL225
Wired musket ball, fragment · Lead
-
2004GHL226
Chinese cup, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL227
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL228
Chunk shell ·
-
2004GHL229
Beardman jar, fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL230
Unidentified, fragment · Stoneware; brown fired
-
2004GHL231
Bowl?, fragment · Stoneware; red fired
-
2004GHL232
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL233
Pot / Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL234
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL235
Jar?, Fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL236
Plate, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL237
Unidentified, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL238
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL239
Chinese cup?, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL240
Sheet, fragment · Copper alloy
-
2004GHL241
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL242
Dead eye with iron frame attached · Wood and Iron?
-
2004GHL243
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL244
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL245
Brick · Clay
-
2004GHL246
Dish, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL247
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL248
Unidentified, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL249
Jar, fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL250
Storage jar, fragment · Stoneware; red fired
-
2004GHL251
Storage jar, fragment · Stoneware; red fired
-
2004GHL252
Beardman jar, fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL253
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL254
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL255
Storage jar, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL256
Medicine jar?, fragment · Earthenware; white fired
-
2004GHL257
Beardman jar, fragment · Stoneware; grey fired
-
2004GHL258
Bottle, fragment · Light green glass
-
2004GHL259
Bowl, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL260
Chinese jar, fragment · Porcelain
-
2004GHL261
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL262
Pot, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL263
Bottle, fragment · Green glass
-
2004GHL264
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL265
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL266
Smoking pipe, fragment · Earthenware
-
2004GHL267
Nail?, fragment · Unidentified; non-ferous
-
2004GHL268
Medicine jar · Earthenware
-
2004GHL269
Unidentified, fragment · Earthenware
References & publications
- Devendra, S., Muthucumarana, R. (2015) “Maritime Archaeology in Sri Lanka: Twenty Five Years Old and a New Beginning”, In Tripati, S. (ed) The Shipwreck around the World; Revelations of the Past. New Delhi, Delta Book World, (pg 381-424).
- Devendra, S. (2006) Maritime Archaeology in a Developing Nation: the Case of Sri Lanka. In Prott, L.V. (ed.) Finishing the Interrupted Voyage: Papers of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Workshop, Leicester: Institute of Art and Law, pp. 34-50.
- Green, J., Devendra, S. (eds) (1993) Maritime Archaeology of Sri Lanka – The Galle Harbour Project – 1992. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Post Graduate Institute of Archaeology.
- Parthesius, R., Miller, K., Devendra, S., Green, J. (eds) (2003) Avondster Project Report 2001-2002. The Netherlands: Amsterdam Historical Museum.
- Parthesius, R., Miller, K., Jeffery, B. (2005) Preliminary Report on the Excavation of the 17th-Century Anglo-Dutch East-Indiaman Avondster in Bay of Galle, Sri Lanka. The International Journal of Nautical Archaeology, 34(2), pp 216-237.
- Parthesius R.(ed), (2007) Avondster Project: Excavation report of the VOC Ship Avondster, Centre for International heritage Activities, the Netherlands.
- සමන් ගාමිණී කේ.වයි (2010) බිඳෙන් බිඳ එකලස් කළ ඇවොන්ඩ්ස්ටර් මැටි බරණිය, දළනිඳු, විද්යුත් පුවත් සරණිය, වෙලුම 02, කාණ්ඩය 03, ජූලි 2010, මුහුදු පුරාවිද්යා ඒකකය, මධ්යම සංස්කෘතික අරමුදල
- Maritime Archaeology in Sri Lanka: Twenty five years old and a new beginning, in SHIPWRECK AROUND THE WORLD : Revelations of the Past (2015)
- Physical protection of a 17th century VOC shipwreck in Sri Lanka (2004)
- Maritime Archaeology and Sri Lanka: Globalization, Immigration, and Transformation in the Underwater Archaeological Record (2013)