Godawaya: The Oldest Shipwreck in the Asia-Pacific | National Shipwreck Database of Sri Lanka

Archaeological Discovery

A 2,000 Year Old Maritime Mystery

2nd Century BCE
Dating confirmed

Asia-Pacific
Oldest known wreck

Discovered in 2003 off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, the Godawaya shipwreck dates back to the 2nd century BCE, making it the oldest known shipwreck in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ancient Trade Connections

This remarkable archaeological find provides a rare glimpse into ancient maritime trade routes that connected Sri Lanka to Rome, China, and the Middle East. The vessel, likely an Indian or South Asian trading ship, was carrying a cargo that included hundreds of glass ingots and metal artifacts.

Follow the journey of discovery from the initial finding to the ongoing conservation efforts to preserve this invaluable piece of maritime heritage.

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Underwater Archaeology

Archaeological Timeline

Discovery Timeline

The remarkable journey of uncovering Sri Lanka's oldest shipwreck

20+ Years
Research Period

International
Collaboration

Historic
Discovery

2003

Initial Discovery

Archaeologists conducted an exploratory dive near Godawaya ancient port and discovered stone artifacts believed to be part of a shipwreck.

Key Discovery

First archaeological evidence of an ancient shipwreck in southern Sri Lankan waters, located near the historically significant Godawaya port.

2008

Preliminary Survey

The Maritime Archaeology Unit of the Central Cultural Fund conducted a preliminary survey of the site, mapping the wreck and documenting visible artifacts. The team confirmed the presence of a shipwreck with significant archaeological value.

Site Mapping

Comprehensive underwater survey established the wreck's boundaries and identified priority areas for excavation.

2010-2012

Excavation Begins

A joint Sri Lankan-German team began systematic excavation of the site, recovering glass ingots, pottery, and metal artifacts. Initial carbon dating suggested the wreck was approximately 2,000 years old.

Major Finds

Hundreds of glass ingots, pottery sherds, and metal objects recovered during the first systematic excavation phase.

2013-2014

Dating Confirmation

Advanced radiocarbon dating confirmed the wreck dates to approximately the 2nd century BCE, making it the oldest shipwreck discovered in the Asia-Pacific region and providing evidence of ancient Indo-Roman trade connections.

Historic Significance

Officially recognized as the oldest shipwreck in the Asia-Pacific region, dating to 2nd century BCE.

2015-2019

Ongoing Research

Continued excavation and research revealed more about the ship's construction, cargo, and trading route. Analysis of artifacts provided insights into ancient glassmaking technology and maritime trade networks.

Trade Route Analysis

Scientific analysis revealed connections to ancient Roman glass production and Indo-Pacific trade networks.

2020-Present

Conservation Efforts

Ongoing conservation work focuses on preserving recovered artifacts and monitoring the wreck site. The Godawaya shipwreck is now recognized as one of the most significant maritime archaeological discoveries in South Asia.

Preservation

Artifacts are being conserved and displayed at the Maritime Archaeology Museum, with ongoing site monitoring.

Archaeological Treasures

Notable Artifacts

Discover the remarkable objects recovered from the ancient vessel

400+
Tools & Objects

Preserved
In Museum

Pottery

The pottery found at the Godavaya site shows similarities to those discovered in the excavations at Tissamaharama and Anuradhapura. So far, evidence belonging to 11 ancient pottery types has been identified across the country. From the Godavaya site, pottery remnants corresponding to seven of these types have been uncovered.

Stone Grinding Tools

The grinding stones and hand stones found on the Godawaya ship are evidence of their importance as trade items in maritime trade (ancient Indian Ocean networks) around 2000 BC. Among the discoveredgrinding stones and hand stones, approximately five matched pairs can be identified, suggesting that these items were specifically used for grinding purposes.

Metal Objects

The copper objects from the Godawaya shipwreck represent a unique archaeological resource for understanding ancient metallurgical production and Indian Ocean trade. Archaeological proximity to the Akurugoda smelting site and the Seruwila ore deposit suggests a potential local link; however, current compositional evidence points towards a non-local source.

Research Team

Excavation Team

Meet the dedicated archaeologists and researchers behind this remarkable discovery

Academic publications and research papers on the Godawaya discovery

Maritime Archaeology Unit (2013)

The Godawaya Ancient Harbour: New Archaeological Evidence of the Sri Lankan Maritime Landscape. Journal of Maritime Archaeology, 8(1), 23-41.

Muthucumarana, R., Gaur, A. S., Chandraratne, W. M., Manders, M., Rao, B. R., Bhushan, R., & Khedekar, V. D. (2014)

An early historic assemblage offshore of Godawaya, Sri Lanka: evidence for early regional seafaring in South Asia. Journal of Maritime Archaeology, 9(1), 41-58.

Rougeulle, A. (2015)

The Sharma horizon: Sgraffiato wares and other glazed ceramics of the Indian Ocean trade (c. AD 980–1140). Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies, 45, 223-238.

Tripati, S., & Gaur, A. S. (2017)

Ancient maritime trade of the eastern Indian littoral. Current Science, 100(7), 1076-1086.

Weerakkody, D. P. M. (1997)

Taprobanê: Ancient Sri Lanka as known to Greeks and Romans. Brepols Publishers.

Godawaya

A 2,000 Year Old Maritime Mystery

Ancient Trade Connections

Discovery Timeline

Initial Discovery

Key Discovery

Preliminary Survey

Site Mapping

Excavation Begins

Major Finds

Dating Confirmation

Historic Significance

Ongoing Research

Trade Route Analysis

Conservation Efforts

Preservation

Key Locations

Exploration Points

Notable Artifacts

Pottery

Stone Grinding Tools

Metal Objects

Discover Shipwreck Artifacts

Excavation Team

Rasika Muthucumarana

W.M. Chandraratne

Palitha Weerasighe

A.M.A. Dayananda

W.K. Sanath Karunarathne

Nandadasa Samaraweera

Amalka Wijesuriya

Kamal Zoysa

Gamini Saman

Rukshan Priyandana

Indika Hewage

Sameera Karunaratne

Nadeeka Kumari

Chamal Gamage

Jinali Ekanayake

Mahinda Karunaratne

Anusha Kasthuriarachchi

Explore the Excavation

References & Further Reading

Maritime Archaeology Unit (2013)

Muthucumarana, R., Gaur, A. S., Chandraratne, W. M., Manders, M., Rao, B. R., Bhushan, R., & Khedekar, V. D. (2014)

Rougeulle, A. (2015)

Tripati, S., & Gaur, A. S. (2017)

Weerakkody, D. P. M. (1997)

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