No scientific evidence to prove bone fragments are relics of Arahant Anula – archaeologists

By Saman Indrajith

There is no scientific evidence to prove that the recently-excavated bone fragments from an archaeology site at Mihintale monastery complex are relics of Arhant Anula Theri, according to senior archaeologists.

An exposition of the bone fragments was held at the Anula Devi stupa precincts on 20 Dec., and the organisers of the event claimed that they were relics of the Arahant Anlua Theri, who is considered the first Lankan female to be ordained by Theri Sanghamitta during the times of King Devanampiyatissa (247 BC-207 BC). They told the media that they would hold similar expositions across the country in 2023.

Director General of Archaeology Department Prof Anura Manatunga, contacted for comment, said that there was no scientific evidence to assign the bone fragments to any historical figure. “With resources available to us, we may be able to get a sample of these bone fragments dated in a foreign lab. That dating technique could give us the time period but not the name of the person. Even in that case, the dating labs usually give 100 years of margin of error for a single sample,” Prof Manatunga said.

 “We have no authority over religious leaders’ statements. We found an inscription bearing early-Brahmi scripts rendering the phrase ‘Anula thisa pavvata vehera’ during the excavations. It could be considered an inscription denoting the name of the site. Several days back, a group of bhikkhus informed us that they wanted to conduct a religious ceremony near the site where the ancient stupa had been excavated by our archaeologists and asked whether the findings of excavation could be displayed there. We granted their request and displayed the bone fragments. Bhikkhus worshipped them and called on people to pay homage because they were the relics of Theri Anula. We had no control over their beliefs and religious fervor.”

Archaeological Excavation Officer in charge of the site, AA Wijayarathna, said the bone fragment had been found in a clay reliquary among artefacts in the second phase of the site of ancient Anula Thisa stupa in the Mihintale complex. The site had been an earth mound determined to contain a stupa and the Archaeological Department commenced excavations on 26 Jan. 2022. The first phase ended in March but owing to the postponements caused by political upheavals and the resumption of the second phase was delayed till 26 Sept. “There is evidence of excavations carried out by unauthorised diggers, most probably treasure hunters from time to time,” he said, adding that scientific excavations had yielded an assortment of artefacts.

“Currently, the bone fragments are at the Excavation Data Analyzing Centre in the Anuradhapura branch of the Archaeology Department. It is better if we could send several samples for C-14 analysis abroad. The higher the number of samples zeroing in on a more accurate date is easy. “It is costly. In rupees the price for a single sample amounts to more than 500,000,” Wijayarathna said.

Scientific assertions would not be possible till the receipt of C-14 analysis report and other reports on typology of the artefacts. Once the ancient stupa was restored it would be conserved with the bone fragments being re-deposited there, he said.

Among the finds unearthed so far there were a reliquary of quartz crystal, clay reliquaries, metal artifacts including some items of jewelry, coins, a metal ringlet embedded in a piece of cloth and beads.

The area was declared a site of archaeological importance by the Archaeological Department in 1926. It is believed to be a part of a monastery complex in the Anuradhapura Period. Archaeologically verified and dated finds so far from the Anuladevi Cetiya site indicate that Queen Viharamahadevi built this temple in the Second Century BC. The Department of Archaeology has said: “It is believed that Queen Anula, who was ordained as the first Bhikkhuni in Sri Lanka resided together with her fellow bhikkhunis at this monastery. Artefacts such as the ruins of a dagoba, belonging to the early Anuradhapura Period, potsherds, beads, terracotta figurines and the remnants of building material had been discovered from this site.”